Introducing CatchmentCARE: Cross-Border Action to Improve River Water Quality (Ireland and Northern Ireland)

Authors: Díaz Redondo, M., King, J., & Craig, D.

Congress: III Congreso Ibérico de Restauración Fluvial (RESTAURARIOS). Murcia, España.

First published: 2019

Abstract
CatchmentCARE (Community Actions for Resilient Eco-systems) is an INTERREG VA EU-funded project which aims to improve freshwater quality in three cross-border river basins (Arney, Blackwater and Finn) in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland.

The first phase, the Scoping and Action Targeting Workpackage, is being led by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and plans to provide a more detailed analysis of factors affecting water quality while increasing the cost-effectiveness of any intervention works proposed. Investigations focus on the status of fish populations and, in terms of hydromorphology, the in-channel and riparian situation, as well as the longitudinal connection by identifying barriers to fish migration and sediment transport.

New tools have been developed specifically for surveys in this project, like the barrier app using Survey 123 for ArcGIS. An example is provided here for the Ballygawley sub-catchment (Northern Ireland) on the application of surveying methods, assessment of identified problems and proposal of potential measures. Solutions aiming to regain natural processes will allow for the riverine system to increase its resilience, thus being able to adapt to current and future perturbations, such as climate change.

.Download: Introducing CatchmentCARE

Website: https://www.restaurarios.es/es/congreso/restaurarios-2011