BART now has an amazing network of Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI) volunteers who are out every month collecting riverfly samples and recording their findings on the Riverfly Partnership’s National database. All our riverfly data is now accessible and easy to view on RiverHub!
Riverfly volunteers are often the first to spot pollution incidents when their samples show a reduction in diversity and abundance of the eight RMI groups. The regular monitoring can also provide a very useful long term data set, allowing us to target areas for potential improvement works. BART have been spending some time looking at our Bristol Frome riverfly data and have produced a report to share with partners, river groups and interested individuals. The Bristol Frome Riverfly Report can be accessed here.
Below are some key findings from the Bristol Frome RMI data:
- BART volunteers have collected over 350 riverfly samples in the Bristol Frome catchment!
- Three trigger level breaches have been flagged and confirmed– instigating investigation by the Environment Agency.
- Bristol Frome RMI scores are below the average for the Bristol Avon catchment; further SmartRivers species level monitoring by BART is recommended to identify pressures and to help target improvement works in the catchment.
- The poorest scores on the Bristol Frome river were recorded at the Frenchay Bridge site (above Oldbury Court Estate); further investigation should be prioritised in this area to identify opportunities for habitat and water quality improvements.
- The poorest scores in the Bristol Frome catchment were recorded on the Stoke Brook; further river restoration works are recommended to improve habitat conditions on the Stoke Brook. SmartRivers riverfly monitoring is recommended in the stretch of the Stoke Brook where improvement works have been undertaken.
BART have also been looking at our Riverfly Data for the Cam and Midford Brooks. To support our excellent RMI volunteer data, BART undertook macro-invertebrate sampling at five sites on the Cam Brook in Spring and Autumn 2024. Species level SmartRivers analysis was carried out with the aim of identifying the main pressures impacting on the Cam Brook macro-invertebrate communities. The findings of all the riverfly monitoring has been collated into a report to help inform BART, our partners, river groups and interested individuals. The Cam and Midford Brooks riverfly report can be accessed here.
Below are some key findings from the Cam and Midford Brook RMI volunteer data:
- BART volunteers have collected over 110 riverfly samples on the Cam and Midford Brooks!
- Two trigger level breaches have been flagged and confirmed – providing valuable evidence for the Environment Agency’s drought investigations.
- Cam and Midford Brook RMI scores are above the average for the Bristol Avon catchment and show that the brooks can support a good diversity of macro-invertebrates.
And here are some key findings from the SmartRivers species level analysis on the Cam Brook:
- The Cam at Cameley site – at the top of the brook and the Cam at Midford site – at the bottom of the brook are able to support an excellent diversity of macro-invertebrates, indicating good water quality and habitat at the top and bottom of the catchment. BART river restoration works have improved conditions at the Cam at Midford site by increasing flow diversity and reducing sediment input.
- The Cam at Stoneage Lane, Camerton and the Cam DS Paulton STW macro-invertebrate assemblages were less diverse, indicating a deterioration in water quality and habitat in these locations.
- The Cam at DS Paulton STW site was the most impacted of all the sites. Pressure ratings scores for chemicals, organics and sediment indicated considerable water quality issues are impacting the macro-invertebrates in this location.