HYDROSTAL: Hydropower Variability and Droughts from Stalagmite Analysis

Project Description

Drought is Ireland’s forgotten hazard. Significant droughts impact drinking water, water for irrigation and our ability to generate electricity through hydroelectric dams. Despite its importance, very little is known about the past history of drought in Ireland, which would help us adapt to our drying summers under climate change. How long, how frequent and how severe are Irish droughts?

HYDROSTAL will create a history of past drought in Ireland using the changing chemical composition of stalagmites growing in sheltered cave environments deep underground. Stalagmites record changing rainfall amounts in the chemical composition of each successive layer as they grow upwards. This allows for a high-resolution picture of Irish drought to be created stretching back thousands of years.

The River Erne Catchment is of national significance, it contains the cross-border UNESCO Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and at its mouth the 65MW Hydroelectric stations at Ballyshannon provide enough electricity for over 38,000 homes. The Erne Catchment also drains the limestone highlands of Cavan and Fermanagh, home to numerous caves. HYDROSTAL will produce a regional history of drought using stalagmites from Cavan and Fermanagh to investigate drought variability, its potential impacts on hydroelectric generation at Ballyshannon, and the role future climate change will have on droughts and renewable energy in the area.