Live River Sensor Data

Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council have helped fund the Witney River Sensors Project. We have recently added 4 new  sensors and gauge boards to make a total of 11 sensors along the river in Witney. This enables us to study how the river behaves during flood events, identify structures that impede flow and learn more how to reduce flood risk.

How to Read Sensor Data

Guide to Dataset

  • History – Select view from the top right date ranges bar. Data can be downloaded for analysis. 
  • Level Gauges – River level at each sensor location.
  • Location Map – Map view of sensor locations and current height readings.

What is Ordnance Datum?

Ordnance Datum (Newlyn) is the zero reference value for altitude in the UK. Usually shown as OD(N), it is based on recordings from the tidal gauging station at Newlyn Harbour in Cornwall taken by the Ordnance Survey between 1915 and 1921 to establish mean sea level (MSL).

Relevance in River Engineering

Ordnance Datum is used in every aspect because water level is always the fundamental consideration. Here in Witney gauge boards are set to it and flood levels recorded against it. More widely topographical survey, mapping, flood modelling, improvement scheme design, construction and maintenance always depend on it.

EA Telemetry Website Links