Basingstoke Canal Hydrological Study: A Water Balance

The paper describes a hydrological study to investigate causes and potential solutions to a significant shortfall of water in the Basingstoke Canal. Canal inflows and losses were investigated under drought and average summer conditions, and spring yields, streams, piped drainage and pumped inflows were assessed. Losses included evaporation, seepage, weirs and lock usage. A computer model of the complete water balance in the canal was created for the 29 pounds^† for different levels of canal usage under three meteorological scenarios. This showed the balance of water stored, and in shortfall or excess, for each month over a year of operation for each pound.
Field investigations, which were carried out to verify the model and to refine preliminary estimates, included flow measurement, site investigation, groundwater level monitoring and water-quality testing. Recommendations were made on potential solutions to the problem of water shortage to achieve different levels of canal usage.