The OPW operates surface water monitoring stations at over 380 river, lake and tidal locations throughout Ireland. The OPW Hydrometric Section has developed a website, www.waterlevel.ie, which provides access to real time water level data at over 300 of these stations. The website supports OPW in its role as the lead agency for flood risk management in Ireland. It also provides vital support to Local Authorities in their management of, and response to, flood events nationwide.
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Usage of the site has steadily increased with 8,760 visits recorded in March 2013. The highest daily usage recorded to date was 962 visits on 22nd March of this year. This peak can be attributed to heavy rain forecasts and a rainfall warning for the Dublin area issued by Met Éireann on the previous day and demonstrates the interest in accessing such data.
The Minister said: "In addition to the value of the data to support the operations of the OPW and Local Authorities, the data is also of interest to a range of other users, including members of the public and clubs involved in a wide variety of water-related recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, canoeing and kayaking."
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