Case study:Little Don Catchment Case Study - Revision history

Ascarr at 09:54, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:54:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:54, 27 March 2018
Line 14:		Line 14:
	\|Contact organisation url=https://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244		\|Contact organisation url=https://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244
	\|Partner organisations=Yorkshire Water;		\|Partner organisations=Yorkshire Water;
	\|Name of parent multi-site project=~~yorkshire water~~		\|Name of parent multi-site project=
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project picture=River Don map.png		\|Project picture=River Don map.png

Ascarr at 09:52, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:52:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:52, 27 March 2018
Line 12:		Line 12:
	\|Main contact surname=Hyde		\|Main contact surname=Hyde
	\|Contact organisation=Environment Agency		\|Contact organisation=Environment Agency
	\|Contact organisation url=www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244		\|Contact organisation url=https://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244
	\|Partner organisations=yorkshire water		\|Partner organisations=Yorkshire Water;
			\|Name of parent multi-site project=yorkshire water
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project picture=River Don map.png		\|Project picture=River Don map.png

Ascarr at 09:51, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:51:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:51, 27 March 2018
Line 12:		Line 12:
	\|Main contact surname=Hyde		\|Main contact surname=Hyde
	\|Contact organisation=Environment Agency		\|Contact organisation=Environment Agency
	\|Contact organisation url=~~https://~~www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244		\|Contact organisation url=www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244
			\|Partner organisations=yorkshire water
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project picture=River Don map.png		\|Project picture=River Don map.png

Ascarr at 09:49, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:49:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:49, 27 March 2018
Line 89:		Line 89:
	{{End table}}		{{End table}}
	{{Monitoring documents}}		{{Monitoring documents}}
			{{Case study monitoring documents
			\|Monitoring document=Appendix 2 CaBA Case Studies - River Don final.pdf
			\|Description=River Don case study file
			}}
	{{Monitoring documents end}}		{{Monitoring documents end}}
	{{Additional Documents}}		{{Additional Documents}}

Ascarr at 09:47, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:47:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:47, 27 March 2018
Line 71:		Line 71:
	{{Toggle button}}		{{Toggle button}}
	{{Toggle content start}}		{{Toggle content start}}
	{{Case study subcatchment}}		{{Case study subcatchment
			\|Subcatchment=Little Don from Source to River Don
			}}
	{{Site}}		{{Site}}
	{{Project background}}		{{Project background}}

Ascarr at 09:47, 27 March 2018

2018-03-27T09:47:04Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:47, 27 March 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Case study status		{{Case study status
	\|Approval status=~~Draft~~		\|Approval status=Approved
	}}		}}
	{{Location		{{Location

Ascarr at 18:55, 14 March 2018

2018-03-14T18:55:09Z

Ascarr at 18:53, 14 March 2018

2018-03-14T18:53:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:53, 14 March 2018
Line 25:		Line 25:

	2. How the scheme was developed		2. How the scheme was developed

	The Don Network plan originally included wide consultation, the outcomes of which included an action on the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to investigate these pressures further. Funding has been sourced through the water industry National Environment Programme for action by Yorkshire Water to reduce the environmental pressures caused by the operation of the reservoirs, particularly to the flow regime of the Little Don.		The Don Network plan originally included wide consultation, the outcomes of which included an action on the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to investigate these pressures further. Funding has been sourced through the water industry National Environment Programme for action by Yorkshire Water to reduce the environmental pressures caused by the operation of the reservoirs, particularly to the flow regime of the Little Don.

Line 33:		Line 34:

	3. What the scheme will deliver		3. What the scheme will deliver

	Action to improve flow regulation: These aim for the best possible flow regime downstream of the reservoirs without impacting on water supply. Yorkshire Water are appraising the costs and benefits of a range of options to provide more natural flows downstream of Langsett, Midhope and Underbank reservoirs.		Action to improve flow regulation: These aim for the best possible flow regime downstream of the reservoirs without impacting on water supply. Yorkshire Water are appraising the costs and benefits of a range of options to provide more natural flows downstream of Langsett, Midhope and Underbank reservoirs.

Line 41:		Line 43:

	The Don Network has actions in place to promote water quality solutions downstream of Underbank reservoir:		The Don Network has actions in place to promote water quality solutions downstream of Underbank reservoir:
	 * Collaborative working with polluters and adoption of new techniques		* Collaborative working with polluters and adoption of new techniques
	 * Raising awareness of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) and encouraging local authorities and developers to incorporate SUDs more consistently in new developments		* Raising awareness of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) and encouraging local authorities and developers to incorporate SUDs more consistently in new developments

			4. Costs and benefits

			The expected benefits of a more natural flow regime would be:
			 *An increase in the level of diversity and variability in both physical habitat and ecology.
			 *An increase in fish densities, growth rates, spawning and resilience.
			 *Improvement in longitudinal connectivity along a watercourse allowing fish to access areas that may have previously been under-used.
			 *Enhancement of physical processes along a watercourse, increasing scour, flushing deposited sediments downstream, and re-oxygenating gravels.
			Mitigating the barriers is expected to have a range of benefits:
			 *Direct benefits to fish and other aquatic organisms by allowing free movement of populations
			 *Indirect benefits to plants and other aquatic organisms by naturalising in-channel habitats
			 *Improvements to flow patterns and a reduction in impoundment
			 *Improvements in the transport of sediment and a reduction in sediment accumulation upstream of the structure
			 *Restoration of natural processes, including erosion and deposition
			Options appraisal identified that building a fish pass upstream of Langsett reservoir, was cost beneficial. Whilst quite a modest option compared to the range of measures assessed, this option was favourable since the fish pass would allow about 5 km of under-used habitat to be accessible to brown trout and other fish currently living in Langsett reservoir. This measure will be in place by 2020.
	\|Monitoring surveys and results=5. Monitoring		\|Monitoring surveys and results=5. Monitoring
	Fish monitoring is taking place upstream and downstream of the new fish pass at Langsett. Yorkshire Water have also tagged fish to see if they approach the weir and what time of year. Walkover survey has been carried out with Yorkshire Water, Don Catchment Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency between Langsett and Underbank to identify issues and possible solutions. Monitoring will also be done before and after actions in the next water industry National Environment Programme.		Fish monitoring is taking place upstream and downstream of the new fish pass at Langsett. Yorkshire Water have also tagged fish to see if they approach the weir and what time of year. Walkover survey has been carried out with Yorkshire Water, Don Catchment Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency between Langsett and Underbank to identify issues and possible solutions. Monitoring will also be done before and after actions in the next water industry National Environment Programme.

Ascarr at 18:52, 14 March 2018

2018-03-14T18:52:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:52, 14 March 2018
Line 15:		Line 15:
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
	\|Project picture=River Don map.png		\|Project picture=River Don map.png
	\|Project summary=**Brief Outline of Scheme		\|Project summary=1. Brief Outline of Scheme

	The Little Don rises in the Peak District National Park and joins the River Don just south of Stocksbridge town, a river length of about 20km. Flow in the watercourses are heavily regulated and managed by three reservoirs and several smaller impounding weirs. The reservoirs are operated by Yorkshire Water, with Langsett and Midhope reservoirs being operated for water storage, and Underbank reservoir for a compensation flow release.		The Little Don rises in the Peak District National Park and joins the River Don just south of Stocksbridge town, a river length of about 20km. Flow in the watercourses are heavily regulated and managed by three reservoirs and several smaller impounding weirs. The reservoirs are operated by Yorkshire Water, with Langsett and Midhope reservoirs being operated for water storage, and Underbank reservoir for a compensation flow release.

	Langsett and Midhope reservoirs modify the downstream flow regimes by buffering the range and magnitude of flows. As a result the baseflow is lower than would be expected naturally and the timing and magnitude of autumn/winter high flows is dependent on the levels in the reservoirs during this time. A compensating flow is released from Underbank reservoir (the bottom reservoir of the group), although analysis of catchment inflows and rainfall patterns has shown this to be too high, a legacy of the industrial use of the Don catchment. Other Yorkshire Water reservoir compensation flow release trials have demonstrated that modifying flows to more naturally flow regimes can improve the quantity and diversity of the ecological community. The Little Don is defined as a Heavily Modified Water Body (HMWB) under the Water Framework Directive and assessed at moderate ecological potential, with an objective to improve to good ecological potential by 2027;		Langsett and Midhope reservoirs modify the downstream flow regimes by buffering the range and magnitude of flows. As a result the baseflow is lower than would be expected naturally and the timing and magnitude of autumn/winter high flows is dependent on the levels in the reservoirs during this time. A compensating flow is released from Underbank reservoir (the bottom reservoir of the group), although analysis of catchment inflows and rainfall patterns has shown this to be too high, a legacy of the industrial use of the Don catchment. Other Yorkshire Water reservoir compensation flow release trials have demonstrated that modifying flows to more naturally flow regimes can improve the quantity and diversity of the ecological community. The Little Don is defined as a Heavily Modified Water Body (HMWB) under the Water Framework Directive and assessed at moderate ecological potential, with an objective to improve to good ecological potential by 2027;
	this WFD objective is the main driver for the scheme.		this WFD objective is the main driver for the scheme.

	Barriers along the Little Don have been observed to significantly reduce ecological connectivity with large proportions of the watercourses under-used by trout and other fish. Whilst the barriers restrict the movement of coarse sediment, studies were inconclusive on the extent of the problem. Additional pressures within the catchment include water pollution (including minewater discharges) and invasive non-native species (such as the New Zealand mud snail).		Barriers along the Little Don have been observed to significantly reduce ecological connectivity with large proportions of the watercourses under-used by trout and other fish. Whilst the barriers restrict the movement of coarse sediment, studies were inconclusive on the extent of the problem. Additional pressures within the catchment include water pollution (including minewater discharges) and invasive non-native species (such as the New Zealand mud snail).

			2. How the scheme was developed
			The Don Network plan originally included wide consultation, the outcomes of which included an action on the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to investigate these pressures further. Funding has been sourced through the water industry National Environment Programme for action by Yorkshire Water to reduce the environmental pressures caused by the operation of the reservoirs, particularly to the flow regime of the Little Don.

			A working group composed of representatives from the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water developed a range of options, focusing on confirmed pressures and those directly linked to the reservoirs and impoundments; flow regulation and barriers.
			The Coal Authority led on plans for the construction of a minewater treatment plant.

			The Environment Agency’s Yorkshire and North East regional fish pass prioritisation project identified a number of priority actions to improve fish passage. For example, installation of a fish pass on a weir used for industrial water supply would double the length of the Little Don accessible to fish from the River Don.

			3. What the scheme will deliver
			Action to improve flow regulation: These aim for the best possible flow regime downstream of the reservoirs without impacting on water supply. Yorkshire Water are appraising the costs and benefits of a range of options to provide more natural flows downstream of Langsett, Midhope and Underbank reservoirs.

			Action to reduce barriers: Flow changes alone would not solve the problem as barriers would continue to limit the migration of fish and modify the flow character of impounded reaches along the Little Don. The working group developed a range of barrier mitigation measures to either remove the weirs or install fish passes where this was not possible. Fish passes for the reservoir dams have not been progressed as costs are significantly higher than benefits.
			Action to improve water quality: Water pollution from minewater discharge between Langsett and Underbank reservoirs has been reduced through the construction of a minewater treatment plant by the Coal Authority. The Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, and Highways England are to trial a solution to deal with the small residual minewater discharge not currently being pumped through the Coal Authority’s treatment plant.

			It is also expected that Yorkshire Water’s work with ‘Moor for the Future’ on grip blocking will further improve water quality.

			The Don Network has actions in place to promote water quality solutions downstream of Underbank reservoir:
			 * Collaborative working with polluters and adoption of new techniques
			 * Raising awareness of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) and encouraging local authorities and developers to incorporate SUDs more consistently in new developments
			\|Monitoring surveys and results=5. Monitoring
			Fish monitoring is taking place upstream and downstream of the new fish pass at Langsett. Yorkshire Water have also tagged fish to see if they approach the weir and what time of year. Walkover survey has been carried out with Yorkshire Water, Don Catchment Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency between Langsett and Underbank to identify issues and possible solutions. Monitoring will also be done before and after actions in the next water industry National Environment Programme.
	\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study		\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study
	}}		}}

Ascarr at 18:49, 14 March 2018

2018-03-14T18:49:10Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:49, 14 March 2018
Line 6:		Line 6:
	}}		}}
	{{Project overview		{{Project overview
	~~\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study~~
	\|Status=Complete		\|Status=Complete
	\|Themes=Environmental flows and water resources		\|Themes=Environmental flows and water resources
Line 15:		Line 14:
	\|Contact organisation url=https://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244		\|Contact organisation url=https://www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=29&Itemid=244
	\|Multi-site=No		\|Multi-site=No
			\|Project picture=River Don map.png
			\|Project summary=**Brief Outline of Scheme

			The Little Don rises in the Peak District National Park and joins the River Don just south of Stocksbridge town, a river length of about 20km. Flow in the watercourses are heavily regulated and managed by three reservoirs and several smaller impounding weirs. The reservoirs are operated by Yorkshire Water, with Langsett and Midhope reservoirs being operated for water storage, and Underbank reservoir for a compensation flow release.
			Langsett and Midhope reservoirs modify the downstream flow regimes by buffering the range and magnitude of flows. As a result the baseflow is lower than would be expected naturally and the timing and magnitude of autumn/winter high flows is dependent on the levels in the reservoirs during this time. A compensating flow is released from Underbank reservoir (the bottom reservoir of the group), although analysis of catchment inflows and rainfall patterns has shown this to be too high, a legacy of the industrial use of the Don catchment. Other Yorkshire Water reservoir compensation flow release trials have demonstrated that modifying flows to more naturally flow regimes can improve the quantity and diversity of the ecological community. The Little Don is defined as a Heavily Modified Water Body (HMWB) under the Water Framework Directive and assessed at moderate ecological potential, with an objective to improve to good ecological potential by 2027;
			this WFD objective is the main driver for the scheme.

			Barriers along the Little Don have been observed to significantly reduce ecological connectivity with large proportions of the watercourses under-used by trout and other fish. Whilst the barriers restrict the movement of coarse sediment, studies were inconclusive on the extent of the problem. Additional pressures within the catchment include water pollution (including minewater discharges) and invasive non-native species (such as the New Zealand mud snail).
			\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study
	}}		}}
	{{Image gallery}}		{{Image gallery}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:55, 14 March 2018
Line 49:		Line 49:

	The expected benefits of a more natural flow regime would be:		The expected benefits of a more natural flow regime would be:
	 *An increase in the level of diversity and variability in both physical habitat and ecology.		*An increase in the level of diversity and variability in both physical habitat and ecology.
	 *An increase in fish densities, growth rates, spawning and resilience.		*An increase in fish densities, growth rates, spawning and resilience.
	 *Improvement in longitudinal connectivity along a watercourse allowing fish to access areas that may have previously been under-used.		*Improvement in longitudinal connectivity along a watercourse allowing fish to access areas that may have previously been under-used.
	 *Enhancement of physical processes along a watercourse, increasing scour, flushing deposited sediments downstream, and re-oxygenating gravels.
			*Enhancement of physical processes along a watercourse, increasing scour, flushing deposited sediments downstream, and re-oxygenating gravels.
	Mitigating the barriers is expected to have a range of benefits:		Mitigating the barriers is expected to have a range of benefits:
	 *Direct benefits to fish and other aquatic organisms by allowing free movement of populations		*Direct benefits to fish and other aquatic organisms by allowing free movement of populations
	 *Indirect benefits to plants and other aquatic organisms by naturalising in-channel habitats		*Indirect benefits to plants and other aquatic organisms by naturalising in-channel habitats
	 *Improvements to flow patterns and a reduction in impoundment		*Improvements to flow patterns and a reduction in impoundment
	 *Improvements in the transport of sediment and a reduction in sediment accumulation upstream of the structure		*Improvements in the transport of sediment and a reduction in sediment accumulation upstream of the structure
	 *Restoration of natural processes, including erosion and deposition		*Restoration of natural processes, including erosion and deposition

	Options appraisal identified that building a fish pass upstream of Langsett reservoir, was cost beneficial. Whilst quite a modest option compared to the range of measures assessed, this option was favourable since the fish pass would allow about 5 km of under-used habitat to be accessible to brown trout and other fish currently living in Langsett reservoir. This measure will be in place by 2020.		Options appraisal identified that building a fish pass upstream of Langsett reservoir, was cost beneficial. Whilst quite a modest option compared to the range of measures assessed, this option was favourable since the fish pass would allow about 5 km of under-used habitat to be accessible to brown trout and other fish currently living in Langsett reservoir. This measure will be in place by 2020.
	\|Monitoring surveys and results=5. Monitoring		\|Monitoring surveys and results=5. Monitoring

	Fish monitoring is taking place upstream and downstream of the new fish pass at Langsett. Yorkshire Water have also tagged fish to see if they approach the weir and what time of year. Walkover survey has been carried out with Yorkshire Water, Don Catchment Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency between Langsett and Underbank to identify issues and possible solutions. Monitoring will also be done before and after actions in the next water industry National Environment Programme.		Fish monitoring is taking place upstream and downstream of the new fish pass at Langsett. Yorkshire Water have also tagged fish to see if they approach the weir and what time of year. Walkover survey has been carried out with Yorkshire Water, Don Catchment Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency between Langsett and Underbank to identify issues and possible solutions. Monitoring will also be done before and after actions in the next water industry National Environment Programme.
	\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study		\|Project title=Little Don Catchment Case Study