e-Brampton
Brampton NFM effectiveness monitoring
Contracted data collection period 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2027
The strategy for “effective” hydrological monitoring of Brampton NFM (e-Brampton) comprises of continuous level and discharge gauging upstream and downstream of the Moss House Floodplain of Bramptonfell Farm. These data are recorded every 5-mins, in combination with rainfall measurements integrated over the same period (using the same telemetry). LU trapezoidal flumes installed in locations that do not interfere with the performance of the flume. Dilution gauging used to check for any deviations from the flume rating (continuous level-discharge calibration).
Upstream (left) and downstream (right) discharge gauging stations on Brampton Beck, with associated automatic raingauge at the upstream station
The Lancaster e-Brampton project has five contracted tasks:
- Task 1 One day of high-level / specialist time (Principal Investigator, PI) to order the sensor/telemetry/flume, commission the flume installer and build the telemetry. The equipment was ordered by the PI as soon as LU have received the signed contract and setup an EAA7000 code for the PI.
- Task 2 Once equipment arrived at LU, three days for high-level / specialist time (PI) was needed to install the sensors and telemetry systems, and oversee flume installation.
- Task 3 Once the two flumes with their telemetry (and single raingauge) installed - data collection began for an initial testing period up to start of contracted on 1 April 2025.
- Task 4 Each year (of two year contracted monitoring project), the PI spends one half day on site, checking the monitoring systems with the contracted support of the local farmer.
- Task 5 Each year (of two year period of monitoring and data sharing), the PI spends one half day equivalent per year on checking the data. This half day also includes downloading the data from the server every 6-months to create a file comprising of date, time (GMT), rainfall, level and discharge in the upstream and downstream flumes (5-min resolution). Saved as an XLSX file, is transferred by a single email to Brampton 2 Zero every 6-months of the 2-year contracted monitoring period.
Funding sources
Environment Agency (EAA7989) via Brampton 2 Zero CIC contract (research contract with LU IP retained)
Investigators
Nick A Chappell (PI), with local farmer support
Project partner
Brampton 2 Zero CIC
Outputs
Data file delivered every 6-months for 2 year period
Research publication(s) pending