Birnie Burn

Information on the air temperature, water temperature, flow level and electrical conductivity is captured live at the river data monitoring site at Birnie Burn.

Hydrological data is captured  at the environmental  monitoring site at Birnie Burn.  This data is part of a long term monitoring study, Environmental Change Network (ECN), which aims to identify environmental changes and to distinguish short-term fluctuations from long term trends. Many other variables such as atmospheric chemistry, soil solution chemistry, water chemistry, vegetation, and soil properties are routinely measured.

For more information and a full site description please visit the ECN website.

• Latest readings

• Readings from the last 7 days

Latest readings

Air Temperature (°C)
Water Temperature (°C)
Flow Level (m)
Electrical Conductivity (uS cm-1)

Air Temperature

Air temperature is measured because it is a) the main factor governing water temperature and b) the sensor used to measure water depth requires this data.

Water Temperature

Water temperature is measured because it is a) an important factor governing life in aquatic communities and b) is essential parameter used to calibrate the electrical conductivity data.

Flow level

The water level provides an indication of the magnitude of the flow in-stream and can relatively easily be converted into discharge to enable the dissolved solids and load to be calculated.

Electrical Conductivity

Electrical conductivity gives a good indication as to what the stream is carrying in relation to dissolved load. High values represent high load and vice versa. Values are often higher in summer when levels are low and the dissolved load is more concentrated. In winter the levels are often lower due to dilution events through rainfall or snowfall.