Seven Lochs Wetland Park – Scoping Report
AECOM Capabilities on project: Water
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Molendinar Burn
5.1
Overview
The Molendinar Burn catchment is to the west of the Bothlin Burn catchment, which covers the majority of the Seven Lochs Wetland Park. The key features of Molendinar Burn are shown in Figure 4 and include low lying marshy area near Stepps, Frankfield Loch and a canalised and culverted section of Molendindar Burn between Frankfield Loch and Hogganfield Loch. A pumping station pumps water from Frankfield Loch up a small vertical difference into Hogganfield Loch. The Molendinar Burn now connects Frankfield Loch with Hogganfield Loch. The levels in Hogganfield Loch have been raised artificially for recreational purposes during the 1970s. Originally the Molendinar Burn flowed naturally into the lochs via low lying marshy areas through what are now Strathclyde University playing fields. As a result higher water levels in the Loch, a pumping station was installed on the Molendinar Burn at the western boundary of the playing fields at Avenue End Road, and maintained by Strathclyde University to improve drainage. The pumping station also provides improved drainage for the University playing fields. Water levels in Hogganfield Loch are closely affected by the rate of pumping. Any modifications to the hydrological regime within the Lochs including increased or decreased flows, levels or changes in the wetting and drying regime within the Lochs need to be reviewed in terms of potential impacts on plant and animal species that depend on the Loch.
Figure 4: Map of Molendinar Burn system
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