Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Site Walkover Survey
13.3.4 A walkover survey was undertaken on 15 August 2012 to help determine the hydrological and
geological characteristics of the proposed wind farm site and ground-truth the findings of the
desk study. The survey allowed for a visual assessment of the surface water features, land
use, hydrological regime and an increased understanding of the site topography, geology and
soils. The weather conditions during the survey were dry and sunny and rainfall levels prior to
the survey were approximately 40-50% above the long-term monthly average values based
on Met Office data at Paisley.
13.3.5 A watercourse crossing assessment was undertaken to confirm the locations at which the
access tracks cross on-site streams, and any requirement to upgrade these crossings to
facilitate wind farm construction. The watercourse crossing assessment has been included in
Appendix 13.3 and includes the following information:
• Crossing survey maps;
• Photographs across, upstream and downstream of the crossing point;
• Information relating to hydromorphology of the stream crossing and riparian zone;
• Outline design for proposed extension to existing drainage pipes; and
• The level of CAR authorisation likely to be required.
Designated Areas
13.3.6 There are no international designated conservation areas within the site.
13.3.7 The designated areas relevant to the hydrology, hydrogeology and ground conditions within
the site are shown in Table 13.7 below and illustrated on Figure 3.7 in Chapter 3: Design
Evolution.
Table 13.7 Designated Areas
Site Designated Features Distance from the Site (Measured Along
Rivers)
Cobinshaw Moss SSSI Intermediate blanket bog Less than 200 m south west and upstream of
site.
Craigengar SSSI Blanket bog More than 5 km upstream
Climate
13.3.8 The long-term annual average rainfall at the proposed site has been estimated using Flood
Estimation Handbook (FEH) data (Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, 2009) using the
Standard Average Annual Rainfall (SAAR) parameter. The annual rainfall ranges between
960 and 1,000 mm. To put this into context, rainfall in Scotland varies from over 3,000 mm
per year in the western Highlands to under 600 mm in some eastern coastal areas.
13.3.9 Rainfall depths during storm events at the proposed site could reach up to 78 mm per day for
a 3.3 % (1/30) annual probability event or 112 mm per day for a 0.5 % (1/200) annual
probability event.
March 2013
13-10
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©
Hydrology, Hydrogeology and Ground Conditions