WFD Cycle 2 River Temperature Classification for Ecological Status

Environment Agency data classifies river water bodies into High, Good, Moderate, Poor, and Bad categories based on temperature. Classifications are derived from spot sampling monitoring data assessed against environmental quality standards. This dataset is part of the Water Framework Directive Cycle 2 physico-chemical classification and has been retired, superseded by a newer record.

Use Cases

• Assessing ecological status of river water bodies based on temperature classification.
• Analyzing the impact of natural and anthropogenic influences on river temperature.
• Comparing temperature compliance across different river site typologies.
• Supporting water quality management and reporting for regulatory frameworks.

Strengths

• Classification uses five distinct categories (High, Good, Moderate, Poor, Bad) for clear status assessment.
• Data is derived from spot sampling monitoring and assessed against environmental quality standards.
• Produced by the authoritative Environment Agency for the UK.

Limitations

• The dataset has been retired and superseded by a newer record, indicating it is not the current version.
• Row count and column-level documentation are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.

Provenance

Source

Environment Agency

Collection Method

Derived from spot sampling monitoring data, with results calculated into percentiles.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-17 15:08:35.753052; freshness should be verified.

Geography

River water bodies in the UK, likely England and Wales.