By Catherine Napper McDonagh
I volunteered to compose my debut report for our team coordinator, Ramune. Much like myself, Ramune juggles a hectic schedule as a working mam. However, since I’m currently on summer break from my education-related job, I find myself with a bit freer. In light of this, I extended an offer to distribute water kits to fellow team members. In the process, I had the opportunity to catch up with Ramune and also provided the kits to the other members of the Swords Tidy Town freshwater team.
As I write this, I’m sitting in on a rather damp and blustery night. Storm Betty has made its presence known on our shores. Despite it being August, the atmosphere outside feels more akin to a winter’s evening, albeit without the biting cold. Given the adverse weather conditions, it’s possible that our testing scheduled for this weekend might need to be rescheduled to Sunday, primarily for safety considerations. Just moments ago, I posted a message in our WhatsApp group, and we’re all engaged in a lively conversation about the weather. I joke, “My sunflowers seem to be waving at me through the window, such is the strength of the wind.”
We find ourselves a few months into the testing phase, and I must say it’s been a remarkably smooth and enjoyable process. My involvement in this project stems from my prior experience with water testing during the Water Blitz events in 20/21. However, this project represents a more significant commitment as it requires monthly testing. Interestingly, the testing dates often coincide with times when I’m occupied with my responsibilities as a caregiver for my mom. This scheduling quirk, though occasionally challenging, has its silver lining.
The monthly testing routine compels me to carve out time for myself, encouraging me to venture to my two designated testing locations. Whether the weather is gloomy and damp or the sun is beaming down, these outings consistently have a positive impact on my mood and well-being.
The two locations I monitor are situated within a bustling local park affectionately known as “The Jacko,” officially named the Ward River Park. This park is under the management of Fingal County Council, and excitingly, the council has recently announced plans for its expansion, extending further into the valley towards Knocksedan and Ushers Lake. This expansion promises to bring new opportunities and challenges for our water testing efforts, and it’s a testament to the importance of our work in maintaining the environmental quality of these cherished local resources.
In my scientific observations, I’ve focused on monitoring the river’s water levels. Storm Betty had a significant impact on the country, including flooding and power outages. I’ve noticed a notable difference between water levels in May and August. While May had relatively stable levels, August saw an increase, likely due to the aftermath of Storm Betty. This highlights the dynamic nature of our environment, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring to understand and respond to these changes, preserving our local water resources.
The water level differences between May 2023 and August 2023 are significant. These changes can be attributed to shifting weather patterns, including the aftermath of Storm Betty. Additionally, a recent report by Met Éireann highlights how such variations in weather patterns and temperatures are affecting river levels. This report recommends that future planning and government policies consider these findings, emphasizing the importance of ongoing water level monitoring. Furthermore, news reports about Storm Betty’s extreme rainfall reinforce the significance of these observations.
References
Carla Mateus, Barry Coonan, ‘Estimation of point rainfall frequencies in Ireland’, [other], Met Éireann, 2023-03-29, Technical Note, 68, 2023
Carlow Weather Forecast and Details (2023). Available at: https://www.carlowweather.com/?fbclid=IwAR2ENJTBn3jRgBCoNz5N3pMzw3k6PMRCkMgetEweTNaWLyMj0D0fjut6N44 (Accessed 20 August 2023)
Fingal County Council (2022) New plan to develop a major park in Swords outlined. Available at: https://www.fingal.ie/news/new-plan-develop-major-park-swords-outlined (Accessed 16 August 2023)
Hilliard, M., Johns N., Kelleher O. (2023) ‘Storm Betty: Widespread flooding in Cork as heavy rain and winds take hold’. Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/08/18/storm-betty-orange-weather-warning-issued-as-storm-to-hit-south-of-country/ (Accessed 19 August 2023)
Kelleher, O., Lucey A. (2023) ‘Storm Betty: ‘Like being attacked by a sea monster’ – clean up and power outages continue’ Available at: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/08/19/storm-betty-50000-homes-and-businesses-without-power-as-floods-and-falling-trees-cause-disruption/ (Accessed 20 August 2023)
McAuley, Eimear (2023) ‘Storm Betty: Matches cancelled and emergency teams on standby as spot-flooding hits’. Available at: https://www.thejournal.ie/storm-betty-ireland-6146422-Aug2023 (Accessed 22 August 2023)
Met Éireann (2023) 12 hour rainfall radar. Available at: https://www.met.ie/latest-reports/recent-rainfall-radar/12-hour-rainfall-radar (Accessed 20 August 2023)
Moloney, Eogan (2023). ‘Storm Betty brought heaviest rain ever recorded in an hour for one Irish County’. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/storm-betty-brought-heaviest-rain-ever-recorded-in-an-hour-for-one-irish-county/ar-AA1fBSU8?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=d553f2cf1dec43b6bdf201e08835a96c&ei=21 (Accessed 22 August)
Swords Tidy Towns 