EN 14614:2004

Foreword
Introduction
1 Scope
2 Terms and definitions
3 Principle
4 Survey requirements
   4.1 River 'types'
   4.2 Dividing rivers into reaches
   4.3 Survey strategy
   4.4 Scale of surveys and evaluations
   4.5 Timing and frequency of field surveys
   4.6 Reference conditions
5 Features for survey and assessment
   5.1 Standard suite of features
   5.2 Feature recording related to purpose and method of data
       gathering
6 Field survey procedure
7 Classification and reporting based on hydromorphological
   assessment
   7.1 General
   7.2 Bed and bank character
   7.3 Planform and river profile
   7.4 Lateral connectivity and freedom of lateral movement
   7.5 Free flow of water and sediment in the channel
   7.6 Vegetation in the riparian zone
8 Data presentation
   8.1 General
9 Quality assurance
   9.1 Training and quality assurance for survey and assessment
   9.2 Training manuals
   9.3 Data entry and validation
Bibliography

This document provides guidance on the features to be recorded when characterising and assessing the hydromorphology of rivers. It is based on methods developed, tested, and compared in Europe. Its main aim is to improve the comparability of hydromorphological survey methods, data processing, interpretation and presentation of results. Whilst it has particular importance in relation to the reporting requirements of the WFD, it also has considerably wider scope for other applications. Although hydromorphology is dependent on hydrology and underlying geology, this standard is focused on the structural features of rivers and on river continuity. In addition, whilst recognising the important influence of hydromorphology on plant and animal ecology and, conversely, the influence of plants and animals on hydromorphology, no attempt is made to provide guidance in this area.