Multi-partnership working to monitor and restore the River Crane and it's catchment.

1. Citizen Crane
Rob Gray
Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE)

2. River
Crane
catchment
Thames
Greater London

3. 1. A 25 km urban river in a 120 sq km catchment
2. 15 fish species, water voles and kingfishers – a high value environment vulnerable to pollution
3. FORCE founded in 2003
4. Crane Valley Partnership formed in 2005
5. Major pollution incident in 2011
6. Thames Water Fund set up in 2012
7. Citizen Crane project started in 2014
The Context to Citizen Crane

4. 1. A partnership between FORCE, ZSL and Frog Environmental
2. Steering Group of CVP, EA and Thames Water
3. 12 Citizen Science teams cover the catchment
4. Mostly volunteers - plus two local authorities, Thames 21 and LWT staff
5. Harrow NCF; Thames Anglers; Friends of Cranford; Friends of Yeading; Arocha
6. Supported by University links – St Mary’s; Kingston; Brunel and Royal Holloway
7. Sample on the third weekend of each month from April 2014
8. RMI; phosphorus and ammonia; flow – lab analysis by TW
9. Pilot outfall monitoring added in April 2015
10. Quarterly steering group meetings and an annual forum
11. Add ons such as: MSc theses; URS training and surveys
Structure of the Citizen Crane Project

6. 1. Volunteer training ~ 30 trained to date – including health and safety
2. Sampling and monitoring kits – nets; trays; leaflets; sample bottles; tape measure and cool box
3. High water levels and holidays mean < 100 per cent data collection. Around 85 per cent overall
4. Monthly sample pick up across west London – logistics and time
5. Upkeep of gauging boards – time
6. Data management and processing – logistics and time
7. University Masters theses – use and develop on the data – logistics and time
8. Annual reporting of data and findings plus regular web-site update
9. Costs down to £10 -15k per annum plus volunteer time plus lab costs
10. Outfall programme needs an app for effective roll out
Practicalities

7. 1. A much improved understanding of the spatial and seasonal character of the river
2. Now assessing year on year variations
3. Several pollution incidents reported (and resolved)
4. Chronic pollution hot spots identified
5. P loading as well as concentration helps characterisation and source apportionment
6. Linkage with the EA SAGIS modelling
7. Problem outfalls identified – and liaison with TW/EA feeds into misconnection progamme
8. CC network of value in community and EHO engagement
9. The catchment wide CC network is the most valuable project outcome – how best to use it?
10. Wider community engagement – at sampling sessions; talks and through Facebook etc
11. The steering group - with buy in from CVP, TW and EA - is critical to project success
Key Findings and Outcomes

8. 1. Main project funding in place until April 2016 – two full years of data
2. RMI funding with ZSL in place across London for a further three years
3. Continue with the full baseline monitoring?
4. Reduce frequency (bi-monthly/quarterly) + more measures (hydrocarbons; priority substances?)
5. Switch to field sample methods for P?
6. Focus on outfalls – roll out monitoring with an App?
7. Reach characterisation – water quality; geomorphology; vegetation and RMI – helping to
prioritise (and then help deliver) remediation works?
8. Develop research links – PhD?
9. Linkage with other work across the UK?
10. Empowerment of CC teams and cost effective catchment benefits as the wider objectives
11. Means undecided - discussion at the Citizen Crane Annual Forum - ZSL on 14th October
– those with a keen interest please sign up and join us
What Next?

9. Thank You
Rob Gray
Friends of the River Crane Environment (FORCE)
info@force.org.uk
www.force.org.uk
facebook.com/friendsrivercrane