Summary Characterisation & Analysis Report - Ireland (2005)
CHAPTER 2
ANALYSIS OF RIVER BASIN DISTRICT CHARACTERISTICS
2.1 GROUNDWATERS
2.1.1 Physical characterisation
The groundwater initial characterisation process involves two elements:
1. Physical characterisation.
2. Risk characterisation (described further in Section 3.2).
Physical characterisation provides relevant information and maps to enable:
a) groundwater bodies to be delineated and described, and
b) the risk assessment process to be undertaken by providing the location and description
of the receptors and the geological pathways that link pressures and receptors.
The physical characterisation process required collection of new data, mapping, compilation and
assessment of existing and new data, and production of relevant maps and reports Ref 1. The
work undertaken was as follows:
1. Production of a national digital bedrock geology map;
2. Grouping of rock units on the basis of similarities in both lithology and likely
hydrogeological properties (Map 2-1);
3. Production of national maps of soils and subsoils;
4. Collection and compilation of hydrogeological and depth to bedrock data;
5. Assessment of the hydrogeological properties of each rock unit, using lithogical,
structural and hydrogeological information;
6. Production of a national map of bedrock and sand/gravel aquifers, giving a total of
eight aquifer categories (Map 2-2), based on resource value and hydrogeological
properties;
7. Compilation of a groundwater vulnerability map for the proportion of the country
(~50%) for which existing county vulnerability maps were available; as well as
preparation of a map of ‘extreme’ vulnerability (<3m soil/subsoil) areas for the
remainder of the country.
8. Delineation of groundwater bodies (see Section 2.1.2).
2.1.2 Location and boundaries of the groundwater bodies
The CIS Guidance on ‘Identification of water bodies’ (2003) Ref 2 was used to develop an
approach to delineating groundwater bodies in IrelandRef 3 applied in the following way:

The aquifers were grouped into four groundwater body types, based on similarities in
flow regime – karstic aquifers, gravel aquifers, productive fractured aquifers and poorly
productive bedrock aquifers (Map 2-3). The boundaries between adjacent groups usually
represent either ‘no flow’ or ‘relatively low flow’ boundaries.

As groundwater catchment divides or highs generally coincide with surface water
catchment boundaries, surface water boundaries were used to complete groundwater
body delineation.
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A total of 383 groundwater bodies were delineated using these principles. Where point pollution
sources or the predicted impact on groundwater dependent ecosystems placed areas within
these groundwater bodies ‘at risk’, new groundwater bodies were delineated using
hydrogeological boundaries, giving a total of 757 groundwater bodies. (Map 2-3). These are
subdivided into the four groundwater body types and their occurrence in each RBD is
summarised in Table 2.1. The number and type of transboundary bodies are given in Table 2.2.
The sizes of the groundwater bodies in each RBD are summarised in Table 2.3.
2.1.3 Description of groundwater bodies
Based on the requirements of the Directive and the compiled data and maps, a descriptive table
– Table 2.4. – summarising the relevant physical characteristics was prepared. This table has
been completed for each of the 383 groundwater bodies.
In general, Ireland has a diverse, complex bedrock and subsoil geology. Consequently, the
groundwater flow regime varies from intergranular flow in subsoils to fissure flow in bedrock
and karstic (conduit) flow in limestones. This influences not only groundwater abstraction, but
also pollutant movement and attenuation, and interaction with surface water. The
characteristics of the groundwater bodies (GWBs) are summarised below, subdividing them on
the basis of groundwater flow regime.
Karstified GWBs: generally distinctive karst landforms; drainage largely underground in
solutionally-enlarged fissures (joints, fractures, bedding planes); variable to high transmissivity;
high groundwater velocity; low effective porosity; high degree of interconnection between
groundwater and surface water, with sinking streams and large springs; streams often flashy
and may be dry in summer; baseflow variable; groundwater level and stream flow hydrographs
usually peaky; drainage density low; potentially long groundwater flow paths.
Productive Fissured Bedrock GWBs: groundwater flow in fissures (joints, fractures, bedding
planes); moderate to high transmissivity; low effective porosity; contribute baseflow to streams
and maintain dry weather flows; occasional large springs may occur; potentially long
groundwater flow paths; confined in places.
Gravel GWBs: intergranular flow; high permeability; high effective porosity; tend to be
relatively small in area; occasional large springs; contribute substantially to stream baseflow;
low drainage density; potentially long flow paths.
Poorly Productive Bedrock GWBs: groundwater flow in fissures; most flow is at shallow
depth in the weathered layer at the top of the bedrock; significant flows can occur in widely
dispersed deeper fracture zones; low transmissivity; high groundwater gradients; low baseflow
contribution to streams; high drainage density; generally short underground flow paths.
2.1.4 General character of the overlying strata
More than 90% of the RBDs are covered by subsoils. These provide the protecting, filtering
layer over groundwater and also influence recharge. However, they are highly variable in
distribution, composition, permeability and thickness. The main subsoil types and the proportion
of the land surface covered by each type is as follows: glacial till (62.5%), sand/gravel (4.3%),
alluvial sediments (0.6%), lacustrine silts and clays (0.4%), beach/wind blown sediments
(0.2%), peat (18.9%) and made ground (1.2%). The remainder of the land surface (11.9%)
consists of outcrop/subcrop.
Subsoil permeability maps, subdividing the subsoils into three categories – high, moderate and
low – were available for ~40% of the country. For the remainder of the country subsoil
permeability has been estimated, although with a considerable level of uncertainty.
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Soil maps were produced, subdividing soils into ‘wet’ or ‘dry’, and ‘acid’ or ‘basic’. While the
areas of ‘wet’ soils are underestimated in places, these maps provide an essential component of
the physical characterisation and risk assessment.
In karstified GWBs, bypassing of the overlying protecting layers may occur at karst features,
such as swallow holes. Mapping and compilation of these features has been undertaken.
Vulnerability maps were available for 50% of the country. For the remainder, the ‘extremely’
vulnerable areas (i.e. areas with <3m soil and subsoil above bedrock) were mapped (Map 2.4),
as pressures in these areas pose the greatest threat to groundwater. The proportions of each
RBD with ‘extremely’ vulnerable groundwater are given in Table 2.5.
A study was carried out, to assist surface water typology work, to determine the calcareous /
non-calcareous (or “siliceous”) classification of bedrock aquifers in the Republic of Ireland Ref 4.
The output from this study is presented in Map 2-5.
2.1.5 Groundwater bodies for which there are directly dependent surface water
ecosystems or terrestrial ecosystems
The achievement of “good status” for groundwater is dependant on ensuring appropriate
groundwater conditions for the maintenance of “good status” for surface waters and the
avoidance of significant damage to groundwater dependant terrestrial ecosystems (GWDTEs).
Groundwater dependant ecosystems cover a wide range of types including surface water bodies
such as lakes, rivers and lagoons and wetlands such as turloughs, fens, wet woodlands and
bogs. The surface water bodies are described and delineated in Section 2.2 below. In relation to
GWDTEs only those of European importance, i.e. in SACs or SPAs, on the Register of Protected
Areas (Section 2.3 below) have been assessed.
The list of sites with GWDTEs is based on the presence of EU Habitats Directive Annex 1
habitats which, in the opinion of National Parks and Wildlife Service, were considered to be
wholly or partly dependant on groundwater (see Table 2.6). The EU Natura database was then
queried for sites with these habitats. In summary a total of 316 SACs were found to contain
groundwater dependent surface water ecosystems and/or terrestrial ecosystems. A full listing
of sites with GWDTEs is downloadable from
www.compass.ie/download/compass_wde200411.zip .
Nationally, 266 of the groundwater bodies had GWDTEs (located in SACs) associated with them.
The sensitivity of the different habitats to changes in groundwater quantity or quality was
categorised using best professional judgement and, for turloughs the indicator values of plants
in line with the approaches developed in the EPA RDTI project (2002-W-DS/10) report. A
guidance document on the assessment of risk in designated protected areas has been
developed Ref 5.
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Table 2.1
Summary of groundwater body types based on flow regime
RBD
Groundwater body types
based on flow regime
E-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
SE-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
SW-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
ShannonKarstic
IRBD
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
W-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
NW-IRBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Neagh/Bann Karstic
IRBD
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Total
Productive fissured
bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Table 2.2
Transboundary
Groundwater
bodies
Number of
Water Bodies
8
12
13
42
32
35
30
54
34
3
1
46
60
32
10
140
53
7
3
42
13
13
6
40
2
7
7
12
202
% of number % area of RBD
10.7
16.0
17.3
56.0
21.2
23.2
19.9
35.8
40.5
3.6
1.2
54.8
24.8
13.2
4.1
57.9
50.5
6.7
2.9
40.0
18.1
18.1
8.3
55.6
7.1
25.0
25.0
42.9
26.7
2.5
16.0
2.6
78.9
16.5
14.6
6.1
62.8
11.1
0.9
0.1
88.0
26.6
6.4
1.2
65.8
40.4
2.5
1
56.1
6.7
5.1
0.6
87.6
4.7
17.9
2.0
75.4
19.6
109
70
376
14.4
9.2
49.7
7.4
2.0
71.0
Summary information on transboundary groundwater bodies
Groundwater body types
based on flow regime
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Total
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Number of Water
Bodies
% of number
6
13
0
18
37
16.2
35.1
0.0
48.6
100.0
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Table 2.3
Summary of groundwater body sizes
RBD
Groundwater body types
based on flow regime
E-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
SE-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
SW-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
ShannonKarstic
IRBD
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
W-RBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
NW-IRBD
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Neagh/Bann Karstic
IRBD
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Overall
Productive fissured
bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive
bedrock
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19.7
83.4
12.5
117.8
66.6
53.7
26.2
149.9
36.7
32.0
12.7
215.9
78
35
21.6
82.7
89.3
41.6
39.3
156.2
38.1
29.1
7.7
162.5
42.4
46.1
5.2
113.4
53.0
45.8
17.9
Groundwater body size (km2)
Mean
Range
0.03 - 77.39
0.05 – 681.41
0.58 – 67.74
0.08 – 949.91
0.28 - 940.74
0.02 - 248.25
1.01 - 126.58
0.21 - 1358.36
0.47 - 510.42
17.65 - 49.11
12.66
0.22 - 1883.67
0.2 – 1123.1
0.6 – 349.1
0.3 – 79.8
0.1 – 1320.9
0.2-1344.5
14.6-68.2
6.4-88.2
0.2-1202.9
0.5-257.9
0.7-103.9
1.7-19.2
0.1-1447.8
8.8-75.9
0.7-120.7
0.03-9.8
1.1-1026.28
0.2-1344.5
0.02-681.4
0.03-126.58
0.08-1883.7
142.6
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Summary Characterisation & Analysis Report - Ireland (2005)
Table 2.4
Initial Characterisation – Descriptions of Groundwater Bodies
Geology
and
Aquifers
Hydrometric Area
Local Authority
Overlying
Strata
Recharge
Discharge
Associated surface
water bodies
Topography
Aquifer type(s)
Main aquifer lithologies
Key structures.
Key properties
Thickness
Lithologies
Thickness
% area aquifer near surface
Vulnerability
Main recharge mechanisms
Est. recharge rates
Springs and large known
abstractions
Main discharge mechanisms
Hydrochemical Signature
Associated terrestrial
ecosystems
Area (km2)
Sample
Groundwater Flow Paths
Groundwater & surface water
interactions
Conceptual model
Attachments
Instrumentation
Stream gauge:
Borehole Hydrograph:
EPA Representative Monitoring boreholes:
Information Sources
Disclaimer
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Table 2.5
Summary of groundwater body types based on flow regime
RBD
Groundwater body types
based on flow regime
E-RBD
SE-RBD
SW-RBD
Shannon-IRBD
W-RBD
NW-IRBD
Neagh/Bann
IRBD
Total
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Karstic
Productive fissured bedrock
Gravel
Poorly productive bedrock
Area mapped as
‘extremely’ vulnerable
Total (km2)
Below
200m
contour**
12.3
12.3
56.1
56
0.01
0.01
1463.1
682.8
396.5
375.9
660
584.3
12.7
12.7
3115
2001.8
187.6
185.8
35.7
33.3
7.1
7.1
5808.1
3420
1349.9
1322.8
255.7
244.1
7.5
7.5
3868.8
2976.3
1035.6
951.8
74.7
54.1
0
0.0
2647.2
1720.8
164.6
113.9
106.2
73
15.2
15.2
2370.6
1755.2
28.8
28.8
28.3
23.4
1.1
1.1
428.4
369.1
3175.3
2991.2
1216.7
1068.2
43.6
43.6
19701.2
12926.3
% area
Total
0.2
0.9
0.0
23.3
3.1
5.1
0.1
24.3
1.7
0.3
0.1
51.6
7.7
1.5
0.0
22.0
8.8
0.6
0.0
22.6
2.2
1.4
0.2
32.3
1.6
1.6
0.1
23.7
4.6
1.8
0.1
28.6
Below
200m
contour
0.2
1.1
0.0
12.9
3.3
5.2
0.1
17.8
2.1
0.4
0.1
38.9
8.0
1.5
0.0
18.0
8.9
0.5
0.0
16.2
1.8
1.2
0.2
28.5
1.7
1.4
0.1
21.5
4.9
1.8
0.1
21.3
** This information is provided because most pressures are located below 200m OD.
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Table 2.6
Surface water ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater.
(*Denotes priority habitats under Directive 92/43/EEC)
EU Habitat Code
EU Annex I Habitat
1150* Coastal lagoons
Type
SW
Number of
SACs
Nationally
25
E-RBD
SE-RBD
SW-RBD
W-RBD
Sh-IRBD
0
3
4
10
Neagh/
NW-IRBD Bann-IRBD
2
6
0
1330Atlantic salt meadows (Glauco-Puccinellietalia maritimae)
GWDTE
38
6
7
8
9
5
4
2
1410Mediterranean salt meadows (Juncetalia maritimi)
GWDTE
33
7
6
7
7
4
3
2
2170Dunes with Salix repens ssp. argentea (Salicion arenariae)
GWDTE
11
1
1
1
2
1
5
0
2190Humid dune slacks
GWDTE
15
2
1
1
3
2
6
0
21A0Machairs (* in Ireland)
GWDTE
19
0
0
0
13
0
7
0
3110Oligotrophic waters containing very few minerals of sandy
plains (Littorelletalia uniflorae)
3130Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with
vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the
SW
32
0
1
4
15
0
12
0
SW
9
1
2
3
2
1
2
0
3140Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of
Chara spp.
3150Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or
Hydrocharition-type vegetation
3160Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds
SW
18
3
0
0
8
5
3
0
SW
9
0
0
0
4
4
1
0
Isoëto-Nanojuncetea
SW
10
1
1
1
7
2
2
0
GWDTE
43
0
1
0
29
16
1
0
3260Watercourses of plain to montane levels with the
Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation
SW
21
0
5
5
9
5
2
0
3270Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. and
Bidention p.p. vegetation
4010Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix
GWDTE
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
GWDTE
37
1
4
7
10
10
13
0
6410Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt-laden
soils (Molinion caeruleae)
6430Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of
the montane to alpine levels
7110* Active raised bogs
GWDTE
13
1
0
1
4
4
5
0
GWDTE
3
0
2
0
0
2
0
0
GWDTE
51
4
4
1
6
40
0
0
7120Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration
GWDTE
53
4
4
1
6
42
0
0
3180* Turloughs
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EU Habitat Code
EU Annex I Habitat
7130Blanket bog (* if active bog)
Type
GWDTE
Number of
SACs
Nationally
50
1
3
9
7140Transition mires and quaking bogs
GWDTE
16
2
1
0
6
5
2
0
7150Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion
GWDTE
62
3
3
1
16
39
4
0
7210* Calcareous fens with Cladium mariscus and species of
GWDTE
17
1
2
0
7
7
1
0
7220* Petrifying springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion)
GWDTE
19
5
3
0
8
5
3
0
7230Alkaline fens
GWDTE
39
4
4
0
11
17
5
0
Caricion davallianae
E-RBD
SE-RBD
SW-RBD
W-RBD
Sh-IRBD
17
Neagh/
NW-IRBD Bann-IRBD
9
19
0
8310Caves not open to the public
GWDTE
9
0
0
0
3
7
0
0
91D0* Bog woodland
GWDTE
11
0
0
0
1
9
1
0
91E0*Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior
(Alno-padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)
GWDTE
23
2
5
7
4
8
0
0
Assessment of Associated Groundwater Bodies
National
ERBD
757
Total Number of Groundwater Bodies
Number of these Groundwater Bodies with intersecting GWD-TEs and SWs (in SACs)
GWDTE – Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystem;
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SERBD
SWRBD
WRBD
SIRBD
NWIRBD
NBIRBD
75
151
84
242
105
72
28
16
22
13
123
35
48
9
SW – Surface Water, Aquatic Ecosystem;
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Summary Characterisation & Analysis Report - Ireland (2005)
2.2 SURFACE WATER (RIVERS, LAKES, TRANSITIONAL AND COASTAL
WATERS)
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires that for each River Basin District the surface
water bodies must be placed in the following categories - river, lake, transitional or coastal
water - or as artificial or heavily modified surface water bodies. Recognising that the
hydromorphological characteristics - altitude, depth, size, flow, catchment rock type and tidal
regime, are important natural factors that determine the composition of the biological
communities, the WFD further requires that the surface water bodies within each of the above
categories be differentiated according to type using these characteristics. These types are
defined using “System A” or “System B” set out in Annex II of the Directive.
For each surface water body type, type-specific biological reference conditions and type-specific
physico-chemical and hydromorphological conditions representing the values at high ecological
status must be established. The reference conditions form the basis of the ecological
classification systems.
2.2.1 Characterisation of surface water body types
Assigning water bodies to types that are ecologically meaningful is the first step in the process
of assessing the ecological condition of our rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters. The
Directive requires that ecological status for a river or a lake, for example, is determined be
comparison with an ideal pristine state for that water body. This is done by comparing the flora
and fauna actually found at an impacted site with that which would be found at a similar
physical site at which there is no significant impact. Because lowland limestone lakes and
mountain corrie lakes, for example, may be expected to have a different range of plant and
animal species present in each type, it is important to be able to describe what are termed
‘reference conditions’ for each type of water body.
The next sections describe the types of water bodies that have been found to be ecologically
distinct – with a high degree of statistical confidence in the case of rivers and lakes. A number
of major ERTDI research projects supported this work [e.g.: River Typology Ref 6, ecological
assessment of lakesRef 7, hydromorphologyRef 8]. The draft water bodies derived are mapped
and a breakdown of the number of water bodies falling into each type is given.
Rivers
All Irish rivers have been allocated to one of 12 primary types, which have been shown to be
ecologically meaningful in unimpacted river systems. The typology follows the System B
typology of the Water Framework Directive and is based primarily on geology and its impact on
water hardness and the slope or velocity of water in the channel. A wide range of potential
characteristics were studied in order to assess their influence on the fauna and flora of Irish
rivers (e.g. catchment size, altitude, latitude-longitude), but from a statistical point of view the
most important controlling factors were geology/hardness and slope. Catchment size had a
minor additional significance but it did not help in the definition of the reference communities
(see Section 2.2.2 below). In addition to the basic 12 types of river water bodies a number of
special river water body types have been treated separately due to their rarity and unusual
ecological nature. Table 2.7 describes the 12 basic types.
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Table 2.7 Definition of Irish River Types.
2
Catchment Geology (%
bedrock in upstream
catchment by type)
100% Siliceous
1-25% Calcareous (Mixed
Geology)
Medium hardness
3
>25% Calcareous
Hard water
Code:
1
2
3
4
Slope (m/m)
<=0.005
0.005-0.02
0.02-0.04
>0.04
Low Slope
Medium Slope
High Slope
Very High Slope
Code:
1
Description
Water Chemistry
(where data are available)
Soft water
<35 mg CaCO3/l
35-100 mg CaCO3/l
>100 mg CaCO3/l
Legend
Examples of Type Codes
The two codes from above are combined in order geology first digit and slope second digit
e.g. A code of 31 indicates a calcareous low-slope site
e.g. A code of 23 indicates a mixed geology and high slope of between 2 and 4% gradient
A major ERTDI research projects studied 50 unimpacted river stretches in some detail, sampling
the inverterate and floral elements required by Annex V of the WFD in order to ensure that the
final selection of river types were indeed ecologically meaningful. A further ERTDI research
project has undertaken somewhat similar work regarding the fish populations under reference
conditions. A detailed outline of the Irish river typology including the scientific basis has been
producedRef 6
River water bodies with catchments less than 10 km 2 were not delineated as discrete water
bodies. These generally comprised the 1st order and some 2nd order streams in the upper
reaches of catchments. However, these river stretches are part of the catchment area of the
next downstream river water body and in this way integrated into the Article 5 characterisation
and risk assessment. Coastal streams with catchments less than 10 km 2 were also not
delineated. During further characterization a subset of these small river catchments will be
examined for each River Basin District.
Table 2.8 outlines the length of channel and percentage of channel length within the major
draft river water bodies within each of the major types in the country as a whole. Table 2.9 (ag) outlines the length of channel and percentage of channel length within the major draft river
water bodies within each of the major types for each individual river basin district.
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Geology
Very High
Slope
(>0.04)
High Slope
(0.02-0.04)
Medium Slope
(0.005-0.02)
Low slope
<0.005
Table 2.8 Breakdown of Irish draft river water bodies into the 12 principal Irish
river water body types by a) number of water bodies, b) km of river channel
length and c) percentage of river channel length.
1
2
3
4
Water
Chemistry
Siliceous
1
No.
277
801
361
374
Soft Water
Siliceous
1
Km
1547
2767
849
507
Soft Water
Siliceous
1
%
7.6%
13.5%
4.2%
2.5%
Soft Water
1
2
3
4
Mixed
2
No.
152
272
87
58
Medium
Mixed
2
Km
1008.26
1271.64
326.18
160.76
Medium
Mixed
2
%
4.93
6.22
1.6
0.79
Medium
1
2
3
4
Calcareous
3
No.
1247
670
109
58
Hard Water
Calcareous
3
Km
8530
3076
291
113
Hard Water
Calcareous
3
%
41.7
15.0
1.4
0.6
Hard Water
Legend
Example of River Type Code:
A code of 32 indicates a calcareous low-slope site – there are 670 draft river water bodies in
Type 32 with 3076 km river channel length and comprising 15% of the total national channel length.
Table 2.9 Breakdown of river types by River Basin District (RBD)
(a) Eastern RBD (see Map 2-6)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
34
202.18
10.87
12
59
245.88
13.22
13
25
78.40
4.22
14
37
80.41
4.32
21
6
19.43
1.04
22
16
80.17
4.31
23
1
3.70
0.20
31
125
899.62
48.37
32
52
249.69
13.43
33
1
0.31
0.02
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(b) South Eastern RBD (see Map 2-7)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
82
544.73
14.35
12
146
575.46
15.16
13
36
108.96
2.87
14
16
26.69
0.70
21
15
151.44
3.99
22
38
210.69
5.55
23
11
47.97
1.26
24
8
33.20
0.87
31
190
1575.80
41.53
32
104
487.26
12.84
33
6
19.04
0.50
34
3
13.49
0.36
(c) South Western RBD (see Map 2-8)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
54
310.10
9.03
12
272
1000.89
29.15
13
142
318.83
9.29
14
182
229.32
6.68
21
26
208.34
6.07
22
56
333.06
9.70
23
15
53.35
1.55
24
10
24.76
0.72
31
57
562.55
16.38
32
63
366.92
10.69
33
6
16.07
0.47
34
2
9.46
0.28
(d) Shannon IRBD (see Map 2-9)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
10
33.98
0.68
12
37
148.84
2.99
13
9
29.15
0.59
14
20
22.61
0.45
21
17
98.80
1.99
22
25
130.01
2.61
23
10
72.00
1.45
24
3
11.88
0.24
31
506
3310.60
66.57
32
202
1000.06
20.11
33
35
96.10
1.93
34
9
18.79
0.38
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(e) Western RBD (see Map 2-10)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
34
101.77
2.81
12
139
338.85
9.35
13
49
95.21
2.63
14
52
55.86
1.54
21
43
206.51
5.70
22
71
206.03
5.68
23
24
74.44
2.05
24
24
53.70
1.48
31
288
1719.31
47.43
32
168
626.96
17.29
33
32
106.89
2.95
34
27
39.65
1.09
(f) North Western IRBD (see Map 2-11)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
54
311.13
13.25
12
140
424.20
18.07
13
100
218.81
9.32
14
63
85.57
3.64
21
43
321.20
13.68
22
55
243.24
10.36
23
24
66.35
2.83
24
13
37.22
1.59
31
58
282.99
12.05
32
69
272.56
11.61
33
29
52.65
2.24
34
17
31.76
1.35
(g) Neagh Bann IRBD (see Map 2-12)
River Water
Number of draft River
Body Type
Water Bodies
Channel Length (km) Channel Length (%)
11
9
43.44
10.47
12
8
33.32
8.03
14
4
6.37
1.54
21
2
2.54
0.61
22
11
68.44
16.50
23
2
8.37
2.02
31
23
179.44
43.25
32
12
72.98
17.59
See Table 2.2.2 for explanations of type codes
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Lakes
A “System B” typology was found to be the most appropriate basis on which to define lake
types in Ireland; twelve types have been identified using the factors Alkalinity (surrogate for
Geology), depth and size. Biological data from 60 high status lakes across several types and
River Basin Districts were used to test that the selected hydromorphological types, derived from
these factors, can be discriminated on a biological basis. A thirteenth type was identified to
include a number of lakes at altitude >300m. Latitude and Longitude were not considered to be
significant factors determining the flora and fauna of Irish lakes.
Alkalinity: Three alkalinity types were recognised from an examination of the profundal and
littoral macroinvertebrates and macrophytes
Low Alkalinity
<20 Mg-1 CaCO3
Moderate alkalinity
20 – 100 Mg-1 CaCO3
High Alkalinity
>100 Mg-1 CaCO3
There were few examples of lakes in the middle category and thus there is uncertainty about
this type
Depth: Consideration was given to mean depth and, in the case of profundal
macroinvertebrates, the more relevant maximum depth in parentheses. A formula relating both
was used. A type, mean depth <4m (12m) was identified. A further type >4m (>12) was
identified; this type will be subdivided further depending on the element being considered: 4-6
m and >6m for macrophytes and 4m (12m)–13m (40m) and >13m (40m) for profundal
invertebrates.
Shallow lakes
<4m (12m)
Deep lakes
>4m (>12)
Size: Two types were identified:
Small lakes
<50ha
Large lakes
>50 ha
The thirteen types of Irish lakes that can be discriminated according to their biological
characteristics shown in Table 2.10. The breakdown of lake types (>50 ha) by RBD is provided
in Table 2.11. Maps 2-13 to 2-19 present all assessed lakes in each RBD.
Table 2.10 Lake Types
Type
Small
Type
Large
1
Low alkalinity, shallow and small
2
Low alkalinity, shallow and large
3
Low alkalinity, deep and small
4
Low alkalinity, deep and large
5
Moderate alkalinity, shallow and small
6
Moderate alkalinity, shallow and large
7
Moderate alkalinity, deep and small
8
Moderate alkalinity, deep and large
9
High alkalinity, shallow and small
10
High alkalinity, shallow and large
11
High alkalinity, deep and small
12
High alkalinity, deep and large
13
Some lakes >300 m altitude
The typology and risk assessment of Irish lakes for article 5 included all lakes greater than 0.5
km2 and lakes less than 0.5 km2 if they were located in protected areas (e.g. in Special Areas of
Conservation, or if they were used for water abstraction for drinking purposes).
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Table 2.11
Breakdown of Lake Types by RBD (>50 ha)
South
South
Type Eastern
Eastern Western Shannon
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
2
1
2
1
0
0
0
3
1
0
10
2
4
0
0
0
0
5
3
0
0
7
6
0
0
0
0
7
2
0
3
1
8
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
0
18
10
0
0
0
0
11
1
0
0
15
12
0
0
5
9
TBC1
1
Type to be confirmed once more data is available
Western
0
10
0
16
1
6
1
7
0
7
0
7
18
North
Western
0
4
0
10
1
14
0
7
0
1
0
0
16
Neagh
Bann
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Coastal and Transitional
The Typology for Transitional and Coastal Waters was developed on the basis of a research
project “A proposed Typology for the UK and Republic of Ireland”, published by SNIFFER in
April 2003 (Rogers et al., 2003)Ref 9. The scheme uses the System B (Alternative Classification)
approach, because the “System A” scheme was regarded as overly prescriptive and one which
would lead to excessive and unnecessary subdivisions of water bodies considering the essential
objective of the task, which is identifying water bodies as the basic management unit of the
Water Framework Directive.
The Typology scheme uses the obligatory factors of Latitude and Longitude, tidal range and
salinity (common to both Transitional and Coastal Waters) along with the optional factors, for
Transitional Waters, mixing characteristics, mean substratum composition and extent of
intertidal area and, for Coastal Waters, wave exposure. This scheme was considered to give the
most ecologically relevant differentiation possible.
This typology is therefore based on broad features of the physical environment of tidal waters,
which, it is emphasised, are not mutually exclusive (for example, sheltered stretches will occur
in coastlines which are predominantly exposed and vice versa). Because of this, it is recognised
that the Type-Specific Reference Conditions for each of the Types must also be broadly based,
and account for all of the diverse range of habitats, pelagic, epibenthic and sedimentary,
intertidal and subtidal, which will occur in each; many of these habitats will occur across several
or possibly all of the physical Types.
The Typology is described in detail in the UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water Framework
Directive document “Guidance on Typology for Coastal and Transitional Waters of the UK and
the Republic of Ireland” (UK Tag Paper 2a Final) Ref 10 The Typology consists of a total of 6
Transitional Water Types, of which 2 occur in the waters of the Republic of Ireland, and 12
Coastal Water Types, of which 5 occur in RoI.
Applying the typology factors has resulted in six transitional and twelve coastal water types for
Ireland and these are shown in Map 2-20 respectively. Water types are provided in Table 2.12
and the breakdown by RBD in Table 2.13.
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Table 2.12 Coastal and Transitional Water Types
Coastal Water Types
CW1
Euhaline, Macrotidal, Exposed
CW7
Euhaline, Macrotidal, Sheltered
CW2
Euhaline, Mesotidal, Exposed
CW8
Euhaline, Mesotidal, Sheltered
CW3
Euhaline, Microtidal, Exposed
CW9
Euhaline, Microtidal, Sheltered
CW4
Euhaline, Macrotidal, Moderately Exposed
CW10
Coastal Lagoon
CW5
Euhaline, Mesotidal, Moderately Exposed
CW11
Sea Lochs (Shallow)
CW6
Euhaline, Microtidal, Moderately Exposed
CW12
Sea Lochs (Deep)
Transitional Water Types
TW1
Meso or Polyhaline, Macrotidal, Sheltered
TW2
Meso or Polyhaline, Strongly Mesotidal, Sheltered
TW3
Polyhaline, Macrotidal, Sheltered
TW4
Poly or Euhaline, Mesotidal, Sheltered
TW5
Transitional Sea Lochs
TW6
Transitional lagoons: Oligo or Polyhaline, Mesotidal, Sheltered
Table 2.13 Coastal and Transitional Water Bodies By RBD
River Basin District
TW 2 TW 6 CW 2 CW 5 CW 6 CW 8 CW 10
Eastern RBD
10
3
0
6
1
1
0
South Eastern RBD
16
5
2
4
0
3
0
South Western RBD
29
14
9
9
0
3
6
Shannon IRBD
14
6
4
4
0
1
2
Western RBD
21
47
5
15
0
5
5
North Western IRBD
14
8
4
12
0
6
1
Neagh Bann IRBD
6
3
1
3
0
1
0
2.2.2 Type-specific reference conditions and maximum ecological potential
In seeking type specific reference conditions in Ireland the procedures outlined in The
REFCOND Guidance Document were closely adhered to.
Rivers: Descriptions of reference conditions for the major river types are included in a
background documentRef 6. For those river types for which reference conditions are no longer
extant corresponding reference conditions will be derived by examination of archived samples
or sought outside the State. In the event of neither of these options being available expert
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judgement will be used to define the reference conditions. In the majority of river types,
however, it is likely that good reference condition sites will still be available.
Lakes: Using available pressure, chemical and biological data, approximately 60 lake
waterbodies were identified in 2002, across several types and River Basin Districts, as potential
Reference condition sites. A project to establish the validity of this selection by examining the
sediments of 40 of these lake waterbodies, using palaeolimnological techniques, was initiated.
A sampling programme to collect further data on the biological elements phytoplankton,
macrophytes and macroinvertebrates and physico-chemistry in the 60 lakes was carried out in
2002 and 2003Ref 7. Where the reference condition status of a lake waterbody has been verified
using palaeolimnology the biological and supporting physico-chemical condition will be
considered to be at Reference status.
For types where no or too few reference sites are available within the State it is proposed to
seek appropriate reference condition data outside the State and failing that to use singly or in
combination, palaeolimnology and other historical data, indices and expert judgement to ensure
the recommended number of reference sites are derived for each type.
Coastal and Transitional: As referred to in the previous section, the Typology adopted for
the Transitional and Coastal Waters of the UK and Republic of Ireland is of necessity a broad
one, and in consequence, the Type-Specific Reference Conditions developed for these describe
multiple habitat types, many of which are common across several types.
The Reference Conditions statements were
Team and its expert groups on each of the
combination of information from provisional
knowledge of the behaviour of ecological
modeling tools.
developed by the joint Ireland-UK Marine Task
biological quality elements. They are based on a
High Status waters, historical records and expert
systems along with descriptive and predictive
The Reference Conditions descriptions are detailed in the UK Technical Advisory Group on the
Water Framework Directive document “Type-Specific Reference Conditions Descriptions for
Coastal and Transitional Waters for the UK” Ref 11. These are considered to be broadly applicable
to the tidal waters of the Republic of Ireland. Additional analysis of existing data and, it is
expected, the collection of new field information will be required to contribute to the further
development of these descriptions, as well as the derivation of appropriate Quantitative
Reference Condition indicators, in 2005 and 2006.
Given the expected nature of the alterations to the hydromorphological characteristics of water
bodies which are likely to be assessed as meriting designation as HMWBs and AWBs as defined
in Article 2, it is considered at present that the Maximum Ecological Potential of each of the
Physicochemical and Biological Quality Elements in Transitional and Coastal Waters are likely to
be indistinguishable from the Type-Specific Reference Conditions in respect of each Type. This
view may require some modification as more specific information becomes available.
2.2.3 Reference network for water body types with high ecological status
Rivers: The RIVTYPE projectRef 6 studied 50 high quality sites and these form the initial core
group of stations for the reference network of rivers with high ecological status. These will be
added to as additional data become available. The initial basis for reference conditions was Q5
in the EPA Quality Rating system based on primarily macroinvertebrates but which also takes
into account of phytobenthos and macrophyte communities. Supporting physico-chemical and
hydromorphological characteristics and catchment pressure also indicated that the selected
sites are generally of very high status and thus, suitable reference condition sites. Supporting
research to measure the concentrations of priority substances in sediments and biota is also
being undertakenRef 12.
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Coastal and Transitional: A Reference Network of provisional High Status water bodies for
the Transitional and Coastal Waters of the UK and Republic of Ireland (exclusive of lagoons at
this stage) has been developed, though additions and alterations to the composition of the
Network are currently being considered in the context of ongoing planning of field
investigations leading up to the establishment of monitoring programmes under Article 8.
It will be noted that, possibly with several small exceptions, all of the coastal waters of the
Republic of Ireland are considered to be of High Ecological Status. A substantial number of
transitional water bodies, discharging mainly to the south and west coasts, and the great
majority of lagoons are also likely to be of High Ecological Status. All of these could be
considered to comprise a Reference network; the consequence of such designation remains to
be developed.
2.2.4 Identification of water bodies
Rivers: Major draft river water bodies and their type as defined by catchment geology and
mid point slope are given for each RBD at the links below:
Eastern RBD (see Map 2-6)
South Eastern RBD (see Map 2-7)
South Western RBD (see Map 2-8)
Shannon IRBD (see Map 2-9)
Western RBD (see Map 2-10)
North Western IRBD (see Map 2-11)
Neagh Bann IRBD (see Map 2-12)
These draft water bodies are used in the risk assessment procedure outlined in Section 3 below.
Lakes: The major draft lake water bodies and their type are illustrated for each RBD at the
links below.
Eastern RBD (see Map 2-13)
South Eastern RBD (see Map 2-14)
South Western RBD (see Map 2-15)
Shannon IRBD (see Map 2-16)
Western RBD (see Map 2-17)
North Western IRBD (see Map 2-18)
Neagh Bann IRBD (see Map 2-19)
These draft water bodies are used in the risk assessment procedure outlined in Section 3 below.
Coastal and Transitional: The delimitation and identification of individual Water Bodies in
the Transitional Waters and Coastal Waters of the republic of Ireland has followed closely the
guidance developed by COAST (CIS Working group 2.4) Ref 14 and the “Horizontal Guidance
Document on the application of the term ‘water body’ in the context of the WFD” (v.10 14-0103).
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The water bodies have been delimited to at least the “suggested third step to ensure that water
bodies represent discrete and significant elements of surface waters” (that is, identification of
water body boundaries using distinct physical features, e.g headlands, salinity discontinuities or
tidal limits).
As far as possible, the outcome of the Risk Assessment procedure was anticipated to identify
boundaries between reaches with likely different ecological status to ensure that each water
body identified was likely to be of uniform ecological status as required by the Directive.
However, it is expected that further subdivision of certain water bodies may prove necessary as
a result of the Risk Assessment.
Minimum size of water bodies
Due to a lack of the necessary range of descriptive data on which to base a system of criteria,
no formal minimum size thresholds were established for the identification of transitional or
coastal water bodies. Instead, certain broad conventions were adopted.
The following categories of tidal waters were considered for designation as discrete Transitional
or Coastal Water Bodies:

Estuaries, bays and coastal water reaches identified for the purposes of reporting in respect
of the Urban Waste water Treatment Directive and the Nitrates Directive were retained (with
the appropriate subdivisions);

Estuaries with catchment drainage areas greater than 80 km²;

Estuaries, bays and coastal water reaches where known pressures were likely to be of
significance;

All transitional and coastal lagoons identified as such during the course of researches by and
on behalf of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the DEHLG (with a general lower limit
of 1 hectare);

Coastal bays generally recognised and referred to as such: outer boundaries between a bay
and the adjacent coastal water body were drawn according to the most prominent enclosing
headlands or other significant physical features as considered appropriate.
In addition, coastal water reaches were identified based on a number of considerations,
including boundaries between River Basin Districts and the distribution of major
hydromorphological features such as major coastal promontories or bays.
Offshore water bodies, bounded internally by the baseline plus 1 nautical mile and externally by
the outer boundary of territorial waters, were based primarily on the boundaries between River
Basin Districts.
At this time, a total of 309 water bodies have been identified in the coastal and transitional
waters of the Republic of Ireland, which break down as follows:
2 TW types :
TW2 (110 water bodies)
TW6 (86 water bodies)
5 CW types:
CW2 (25 water bodies)
CW5 (53 water bodies)
CW6 (1 water body)
CW8 (20 water bodies)
CW10 (14 water bodies)
The total area of Transitional Waters and Coastal Waters (to 1 nautical mile outside baseline)
are estimated as 14,184 km².
Map 2.20 and Map 2.21 illustrates the major costal and transitional bodies.
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2.2.5 Identification of Artificial and Heavily Modified Water Bodies
It is proposed to describe the Maximum Ecological Potential (MEP) of heavily modified
waterbodies in accordance with the procedures set out in the Guidance Document on
Identification and Designation of Heavily Modified and Artificial Water Bodies by reference to the
closest comparable surface water body category and type. The identification of Artificial Water
Bodies (AWBs) and Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWBs) is described in Chapter 4.
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2.3 REGISTER OF PROTECTED AREAS
Article 6 of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), requires each Member State to
establish a “register or registers of all areas lying within each river basin district which have
been designated as requiring special protection under specific Community legislation for the
protection of their surface water and groundwater or for the conservation of habitats and
species directly depending on water” (Article 6.1, 2000/60/EC).
In Ireland, this Register has been compiled on a national basis by the Irish Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). In order to ensure that the Register contains the most accurate and
appropriate data for each protected area, the EPA has sought expert advice from the different,
relevant agencies and organisations for each of the individual topics included within the
Register. Not only has this process has proved valuable in attaining the most correct
information on each of the different protected areas, but also this process has opened and
established links between organisations that will facilitate the maintenance and update of the
Register in the future.
The Irish Register of Protected Areas is based exclusively upon existing national and EU
legislation regarding the protection of waters for economic, recreational and ecological
purposes. The Register is held in two formats – an MS Access database and a Geographical
Information System (GIS). Each of the geographical features within the Register is based upon
a standard, national GIS feature dataset and coding system and as such, each of the GIS
datasets within the Register can be fully integrated within the national GIS database.
2.3.1
Areas designated for the abstraction of water intended for human
consumption
In Ireland, waters intended for human consumption are protected under the Drinking Water
Regulations (S.I. 439 / 2000)Ref 15. The actual protected areas for drinking waters are not
outlined within the Regulations, as a result, the protected area for drinking waters is
represented by the water body from which the water is abstracted and the associated drinking
water abstraction point.
The entire water body is to be used to represent the protected area (groundwater body, lake or
river).
Where water is abstracted from a river or lake that was not initially selected as a water body
(i.e. 1st or 2nd order rivers or lakes smaller than 50 hectares) the water is then designated as a
protected area and the 1st or 2nd order stream or small lake is reclassified as a waterbody.
The areas designated for the abstraction of water intended for human consumption are
illustrated in three maps.
The first map shows the locations of the abstraction points and the distributions of the different
types of abstraction (Map 2-22).
The second shows surface waters protected for drinking water abstraction (Map 2-23) and
depicts groundwaters protected for drinking water abstraction (Map 2-24).
2.3.2 Areas designated for the protection of economically significant aquatic species
(fish, shellfish)
The protected areas for economically significant aquatic species are comprised of the 14
shellfish production areas listed in the Irish Shellfish Regulations (S.I. 200 / 1994)Ref 16. These
areas are currently under review.
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The geographic extents of these areas have been verified by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) 1 and
incorporated within the Register GIS and database (Map 2-25).
2.3.3 Areas designated as recreational and bathing waters
Only bathing waters have been included within the Register as recreational waters. Protected
areas for bathing waters include those 131 bathing areas listed in the Bathing Waters
Regulations (S.I. 155 / 1992) Ref 17 and subsequent amendments2.
The location of bathing water monitoring point locations and the lengths of beach that are
associated with those monitoring points have been verified by each of the relevant Local
Authorities. These points and lines are used to illustrate the location of each of the bathing
areas (Map 2-26).
2.3.4 Nutrient-sensitive areas
The nutrient sensitive areas included within the Register are those waters listed in the Urban
Waste Water Treatment (UWWT) Regulations (S.I. 254 / 2001) Ref 18. The waterbody containing
the sensitive area is used to represent the nutrient sensitive area (Map 2-27).
A Nitrates Action Programme has been prepared in accordance with Article 5 of the Nitrates
Directive (91/676/EEC) and is to be applied to the whole territory of the State. Consequently no
NVZs have been designated.
2.3.5 Areas designation for the protection of habitats (including birds)
Salmonid waters, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs, cSACs, pcSACs) and Special Protection
Areas (SPAs and pSPAs) will be included within the Register as areas protected for water
dependent species and habitats.
The protected areas for Salmonid species are comprised of the 34 Salmonid rivers, tributaries
and lakes listed in the Salmonid Regulations (S.I. 293 / 1988) Ref 19 (Map 2-28).
The Salmonid Regulations designate the “waters capable of supporting salmon (Salmo salar),
trout (Salmo trutta), char (Salvelinus) and whitefish (Coregonus)” as protected. In contrast,
the Habitat regulations (S.I. 94 / 1997) Ref 20 protect the habitats of Atlantic Salmon only. For
this reason, the Salmonid Regulations are contained within the Register independently from the
Habitat Regulations.
Only the SACs that contain water dependent species and habitats have been included within the
Register. In some cases, the actual extent of water dependent habitats and species within
certain SACs is unclear. Where this is the case, the entire SAC has been included within the
Register (Map 2-29).
Where a 1st or 2nd order stream or a lake smaller than 50ha (i.e. not already considered to be a
water body) exists within a Salmonid Water, an SAC or SPA and is listed as a qualifying interest,
this 1st or 2nd order stream or small lake must be reclassified as a water body.
All bird SPAs contain water dependent species (Map 2-30).
RPA 3 – BIM is “the Irish State agency with responsibility for developing the Irish Sea Fishing
and Aquaculture industries. BIM was established under the Sea Fisheries Act 1952” From
1
http://www.bim.ie/templates/about_bim.asp?node_id=179. Last viewed 17 Dec 2004.
2
RPA 4 – Since the publication of S.I. 154 of 1992 there have been 4 subsequent amendments
to the Bathing Water Regulations. As a result of these amendments, the number of protected
areas has been increased from the original 94 to 131 bathing waters in S.I. 22 / 2001
(http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html Last viewed 17 Dec 2004.)
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Background Information for Chapter 2
Ref 1. Technical requirements for groundwater and related aspects. Irish groundwater working
group (September 2001). http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 2. Identification of water bodies - Horizontal guidance document on the application of the
term “water body” in the context of the Water Framework Directive.
http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/wfd/library
Ref 3. Approach to Delineation of Groundwater Bodies. Irish Groundwater Working Group (April
2003). http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 4. The calcareous/ non-calcareous (“siliceous”) classification of bedrock aquifers in the
republic of Ireland. Irish Groundwater Working Group (March 2004). http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 5. Guidance on the application of groundwater risk assessment sheets SWRA 1-6 and
GWDTE RA 1-9 to areas designated for the protection of habitats and species. Irish
Groundwater Working Group (December 2004). http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 6. Kelly-Quinn, M., Baars, J-R., Bradley, C., Dodkins I., Harrington, T.J., Ní Catháin, B.,
O’Connor, Mm., Rippey, B., Trigg, D. 2004. Characterisation of reference conditions and testing
of typology of rivers (RIVTYPE). Draft report to the EPA.
Ref 7. Lake Typology – Summary Note. http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 8. McGinnity, P. Mills, P. Mueller, M. and Roche, W. 2004. Hydromorphology of Rivers – a
desk study to determine a methodology for the monitoring of hydromorphological conditions in
Irish Rivers for the Water Framework Directive (2002-W-DS/9). Draft report to the EPA under
the Environmental RTDI Programme 2000-2006.
Ref 9. Typology For Transitional and Coastal Waters For UK and Ireland
For The Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum For Environmental Research. Contract reference:
WFD07 (230/8030). Rogers, S., et al. (2003)
http://www.wfduk.org/
Ref 10. UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water Framework Directive. Guidance on Typology
for Coastal & Transitional Waters of the UK and Republic of Ireland (Final). (2003).
http://www.wfduk.org/
Ref 11. TAG Work Programme 8a (03) Reference conditions for Transitional and Coastal
Waters (2004)
http://www.wfduk.org/
Ref 12. Discussion document - rationale for deriving national priority action, candidate relevant
pollutant and candidate general component substances lists for surface waters. National
Dangerous Substances Expert Group (2004)
http://www.wfdireland.ie/
Ref 13. Guidance on typology, reference conditions and classification systems for transitional
and coastal waters produced by CIS working group 2.4 (COAST) (2002)
http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/wfd/library
Ref 14. Guidance document on identification and designation of Heavily Modified and Artificial
Water Bodies. CIS Working Group 2.2 (2002)
http://forum.europa.eu.int/Public/irc/env/wfd/library
Ref 15. European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations, 2000. S.I. No. 439 of 2000.
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http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
Ref 16. Quality Of Shellfish Waters Regulations, 1994. S.I. No. 200 of 1994.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
Ref 17. Quality Of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992. S.I. No. 155 of 1992.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
Ref 18. Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001. S.I. No. 254 of 2001.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
Ref 19. European Communities (Quality Of Salmonid Waters) Regulations 1988. S.I. No. 254 of
1988
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
Ref 20. European Communities (Natural Habitats) Regulations, 1997. S.I. No. 94 of 1997
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/front.html
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List of Maps in Chapter 2
Groundwaters
Map 2-1 National bedrock geology
Map 2-2 National Aquifer Map
Map 2-3 National Groundwater Bodies
Map 2-4 Groundwater vulnerability
Map 2-5 Calcareous / Siliceous Bedrock Map
Rivers
Map 2-6 E-RBD River water bodies
Map 2-7 SE-RBD River water bodies
Map 2-8 SW-RBD River water bodies
Map 2-9 Sh-IRBD River water bodies
Map 2-10 W-RBD River water bodies
Map 2-11 NW-IRBD River water bodies
Map 2-12 Neagh Bann-IRBD River water bodies
Lakes
Map 2-13
Map 2-14
Map 2-15
Map 2-16
Map 2-17
Map 2-18
Map 2-19
E-RBD Lake water bodies
SE-RBD Lake water bodies
SW-RBD Lake water bodies
Sh-IRBD Lake water bodies
W-RBD Lake water bodies
NW-IRBD Lake water bodies
Neagh Bann-IRBD Lake water bodies
Transitional and Coastal waters
Map 2-20 National Coastal water bodies
Map 2-21 National Transitional water bodies
Register of Protected Areas
Map 2-22 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Drinking water abstraction points
Map 2-23 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Surface waters for drinking water
abstractions
Map 2-24 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Groundwaters for drinking water
abstractions
Map 2-25 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Economically Significant Aquatic Species
Map 2-26 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Recreational Waters
Map 2-27 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Designated Nutrient Sensitive Waters
Map 2-28 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Designated Salmonid Waters
Map 2-29 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Water Dependent Habitats (Special
Areas of Conservation)
Map 2-30 Irish National Register of Protected Areas – Bird Protection Areas (Special Protection
Areas)
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