Neagh Bann River Basin District

The principle river system is the Bann, with its tributaries the Moyola, Ballinderry, Blackwater, Six Mile Water and Main.  The Newry river system drains into Carlingford Lough. Lough Neagh, located in the centre of the district is the main lake, with other smaller ones include Lough Fea, Portmore, Ross and Beg.  This district has a limited coastline to the north where the River Bann enters the Atlantic and to the south where the Newry system enters Carlingford Lough.

• NB RBD first cycle river basin management plan summary 2009 – 2015
• NB RBD second cycle river basin management plan summary 2015 - 2021

A list of documents to support the second cycle plans can be viewed below. The documents can be found using our publication search facility.
second cycle RBMP supporting documents

The baseline second cycle 2015 Classification results showed the 26% of the surface water bodies in this RBD were at good or better status. Of the remaining, 57% were moderate, 11% poor, 4% bad and 2% not classified. The majority of individual elements monitored are at good status however the ‘one out, all out’ rule for classification i.e. status is determined by the lowest from all the standards that are assessed, has led to many not achieving good.  Groundwater bodies unlike surface waters are classified as good or poor for quantitative and chemical status, which combine to produce an overall.  There are 16 groundwater bodies in the NB RBD, 6 are at overall good status.

By 2021 we aim to increase the number of surface water bodies achieving good or better status to 68%.

The interactive web map allows the quality of the water bodies to be viewed.

• Interactive river basin map viewer

This area has 2 dedicated Catchment Management Officers who cover the catchments within the NB RBD draining into and out of Lough Neagh – Moyola, Ballinderry, River Blackwater, Upper Bann, Six Mile Water, Braid and Main and Lower Bann. Catchments related to the Newry System and draining into Carlingford Lough are covered by the Catchment Management Officers in the North Eastern district.

Wendy Craig
Mert Thompson

The Catchment Officers continually work with groups of stakeholders - details on becoming involved can be obtained by contacting them.