The IH approach has been to assess the network through each of five complementary studies
which together investigate facets of the network's scope and utility. The studies comprise: a
theoretical approach, considering identifiable physical characteristics and climatic variables; a
Data Use Survey which canvassed Departmental users on their perception of the present and
anticipated value of the station for a range of uses; an evaluation of the use of the Micro LOW
FLOWS package and the Flood Studies regression method in surrogate Welsh catchments to
estimate low flow and flood characteristics from time series and spatial data; a comparison
between the network densities in the UK and other EC countries with respect to population and
area; a review of the quality of the hydrometric data, from assessing the gauges' potential to
produce good results to the effectiveness of the ensuing archive data in meeting conventional
archive standards. Subsequently, a synthesis of the results was carried out and recommendations
made to respond to the individual requirements within the terms of reference
