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T
The project will scope out and model NFM interventions that could establish a reduction in flood risk to Trawden, a village at risk of flooding, near Colne in the Ribble catchment in Lancashire (Map 1). The aim is to inform the Trawden Capital Project and identify catchment scale interventions which could add climate change resilience to this scheme. This will be achieved through:
• Hydraulic modelling: updating the current flood model to establish potential for Natural Flood Management (NFM). This will done by: carrying out a review of the hydraulic and hydrological modifications that could be made within the modelling to represent the effects of NFM; establishing the reduction in peak flows that may be afforded by NFM, or failing that the climate change resilience that may be offered.
• NFM aspirational scoping: carrying out a geomorphology baseline assessment and a landscape scale assessment of the evidence-based NFM solutions that are possible within the catchment surrounding Trawden, including the modelling of each intervention.
• NFM prioritisation: identifying opportunities and methods for priority areas for delivery including social, economic and environmental multiple benefits, match funding and current constraints.
The results of the scoping study are due for publication in June 2017. The key findings will be whether it is possible to reduce flood risk to Trawden through NFM alone, in combination with a proposed traditional capital scheme, or to add climate change resilience to a traditional capital scheme. To date a landscape scale and geomorphological assessment of the Trawden catchment has identified over 150 potential NFM interventions. +
P
The project won the Amateur category award at the annual Wild Trout Trust (WTT) Conservation Awards 2013. The panel comprised two experts, Paul Gaskell (WTT) and Dr. Jenny Mant from the River Restoration Centre.
This work was planned by a project team, supported by the Rivers Trust and WTT. Originally there was a number of days help from Bishop Burton Agricultural College students on the Fisheries Management Course. The number of club members working on the beck varied but often there was a team of seven to ten people. The work was carefully delegated as some contributed by undertaking lighter work whilst others were able to safely use equipment to fell trees, remove them from the beck and then fix safely in place using rebar and heavy duty wire.
The main financial help was through grants from the Grayling Society; finance, training and help from the WTT, assistance from the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust; but to undertake the works, the project required funding from the Pickering Fisheries Association (PFA) and members base. The total cost is difficult to ascertain as members often provided equipment and materials; the cost direct to the PFA is in the region of £1000. These expendatures have been minimized by using local materials and the good will of members.
The work will be a long-term project. As of 2013, it had so far taken three years of dedicated work. The main elements of the project have been to:-
A) reduce the tree canopy, maintain dappled light and stabilize the banks.
B) introduce woody debris and develop scours by upstream V’s. Trees have been secured on the margins of the beck and brash bundles have been used to minimize bank erosion.
C) continue our monthly Riverfly Invertebrate Monitoring, that started in 2011, in order to monitor the effects of the work on already very healthy invertebrate populations (also to monitor any pollution problems).
D) provide safe ingress and exit from the bank and provide safety rope near to deep pools.
E) develop paths and clear debris from the forest floor.
F) ensure anglers have safe access along side of the Steam railway Track by building walkways from felled trees.
The project used local materials and the techniques used were developed using the expertise and help from the project partnership (e.g. literature, videos and visits to other fisheries). The work programme was adapted to suit the limited skill and physicality of volunteers present and time constraints. The current team has built up knowledge and contacts to continue to maintain and improve the river corridor in a sustainable manner.
S
The project worked on a site containing a public footpath popular with local residents and school children, to restore a section of river suffering from various anthropogenic impacts. The river supports small populations of brown trout and bullhead, amongst other species, and has suitable substrate capable of supporting greater fish numbers. However, summer low flow conditions throughout much of the site were often unfavourable for this prior to these works. +
L
The project's aims were to form a partnership and use this to devise and implement a Restoration Plan for the River Dove in Dovedale and Wolfscote Dale, one of the most renowned stretches of river in Britain.
In 2010 Natural England commissioned a fluvial audit of the Upper Dove catchment to study how the river is transporting sediment through erosion and deposition, how it has changed over time and how it is likely to change in future. Natural England then commissioned an Ecological Restoration Vision (Hyder, 2011).
The Restoration Plan is published by Natural England and you can view it via the following link: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6259971227385856
It identifies and prioritises physical restoration measures that will help to achieve SSSI favourable condition and Water Framework Directive objectives and was based on:
previous studies and data; information provided by the Steering Group organisations; detailed and ongoing discussions with land owners and angling clubs; site visits to the whole length of the river that the report covers, usually with relevant land owners or angling clubs; meetings with archaeologists and the head of Derbyshire Museums.
It is a long term plan, whose approach is to work with landowners and other interested parties to deliver gradual improvements, gathering information and carefully evaluating the work we do together.
All the potential actions require further detailed planning with relevant landowners and permission from landowners, Natural England and the lead flood authority (relevant County Councils) and Peak District National Park and/or Environment Agency.
In the short term work will be done with interested parties to implement agreed restoration and to gather evidence of the benefits. By demonstrating the benefits, hopefully it will be possible to work with all relevant landowners to implement restoration action in the longer term +
W
The project’s aims were to undo the effects of detrimental physical alteration in the past, such as dredging and channelization; sediment issues; and loss of habitat for fish and plants. These aims were tackled through the following objectives:
Drought proofing rivers
Mitigating climate change (hydrology, temperature) by reinstating natural processes of erosion and deposition and planting trees for shade and as a future source of natural woody debris.
Reducing the amount of sediment within the channel
By promoting scour of the river bed through increasing flow velocity and by installing brushwood structures to act as sediment traps, the project will improve the site for salmonid spawning as well as helping to maintain the signature ‘gin clear’ waters of a chalk stream.
Create habitat for fish, plants
The structures installed in this project are aimed to provide habitat for a variety of plants, fish, invertebrates, birds and mammals, either through the introduction of food in the form of woody debris and leaf matter, or the provision of spawning habitat and cover. +
R
The proposal will form part of a larger project that has developed in successive years to achieve full restoration of the stream passing through Sant Quirze. The riparian vegetation was degraded due to the humanization of the channel being observed alteration of forest cover, presence of exotic species and existence of human structures. In the middle stretch upper slopes highlighted with a high degree of verticality and height that clearly delineate the flood zone. In the lower middle part, these banks lose height in one or both sides resulting in a more open channel.
The main actions in this project are: the use of new bioengineering elements in order to improve riverbanks; control of exotic plants; landscape integration of the breakwater; creating water point to control the flood risk and create habitat for wildlife.
The project has a total budget of 36.414,95 € and is financed by the Association Sant Quirze del Vallès Natura. +
B
The proyect has two main objectives: 1) Tracing of aquatic birds and 2) Surveillance, prevention and monitoring of poaching. +
The proyect has two main objectives: 1) Improve water quality of water input to Albufera’s lagoon 2) Improve biodiversity by habitat restoration and management +
A
Austria Upper Mur - Public relations in murerleben I + II LIFE III (LIFE03 NAT/A/000011) and LIFE+ (LIFE+ 08 NAT A 614) „Inner-Alpine river basin management – Upper River Mur - murerleben I+II" 2003-2015 +
The public relations are an integral part of all projects on the river Mur. The population is informed about the project by regular press releases, information-boards, folders, press conferences, festivities and the project homepage. Additionally, school projects, events and the production of two films for the documentation of the results took place.
Until now great success could be achieved by the realized measures in order to ameliorate the variety structures on the river Mur. Buying more land and reactivating flood plains provides passive flood protection. By means of intensive public relations the project is present in the people’s minds and the awareness and appreciation for the habitat river Mur was increased.
„murerleben“ is an important step towards a close to nature and worth living future on the Upper Mur - many steps should follow in any cause.
Kindergarten Jägersteig Judenburg:
In several excursions to the river Mur one group of the kindergarten dealt with the river landscape. After learning about the existing flora and fauna, the children experienced the "landscape river Mur"´ in a playful manner with songs and stories. Regarding the 20th anniversary a song called "Murerleben" was prepared and performed.
BG/BRG Judenburg:
The gymnasium Judenburg prepared two projects. On the one hand pupils have adressed bio-monitoring in the school lesson "science and nature" and on the other hand 23 pupils of the 7th class have dealt with the design of seats and information boards. They presented their miniatures to a seven-headed jury consisting of representatives of the federal state Styria and freiland Environmental Consulting Civil Engineers Ltd.. The members of the jury were enthusiastic over the creativity and the ideas. Since November last year they prepared drafts and finally presented their manufactured miniatures separately. The jury’s main criteria were the practicability, the resistance to weather and the protection against vandalism. Four of the twelve models were realised in the course of the next years and serve as recreation oases and information points. Two locations are planned in the Lässer alluvial forest, a further one at the Ingering estuary (municipality of Apfelberg), as well as one in St. Peterer alluvial forest (municipality St. Peter/Jdbg.). The group of pupils occupied with bio-monitoring are going to realise electrofishing under a specialized guidance at the river Mur already this autumn.
School for Food and Agriculture, Großlobming:
An important partner during the events on site is the school for food and agriculture in Großlobming. The school girls arranged not only a perfect catering but also served their self-made snacks in form of a fish.
Simultania Judenburg:
The project "Milestones along the river Mur“ is a large and extensive pupil project at which the Simultania in Judenburg, headed by Prof. Helmut Ploschnitznigg, took part. A group of young persons with a handicap have created wooden pillars along the total project area at the river Mur. This project will be continued at "murerleben” LIFE+ successfully. The wooden pillars, worn away due to their weather exposal, will be replaced by newly designed wooden pillars and will decorate the riverside of the river Mur in all colours.
B
The purpose of the Project was to enhance river habitat along a 150m stretch of the R. Wye that borders Bourne End Recreation Ground in Buckinghamshire. Through a combination of tree management work and the installation of Woody Habitat structures, the scheme narrowed the previously over-wide channel and increased heterogeneity of flow and habitat. The scheme was designed to directly contribute to the R. Wye achieving Good Ecological Status under the Water Framework Directive. This project was one of three habitat enhancement Projects completed on the river in 2016 supported by the Catchment Partnership Action Fund. The Project was managed by the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project (CCSP) working in partnership with the Chiltern Rangers CIC, Environment Agency, Wooburn Green & Bourne End Parish Council under the banner of Revive the Wye a local community initiative. The work as carried out using a combination of specialist contractors (tree work) and volunteers. The project was funded by the CCSP, the Catchment Partnership Action Fund and the Chiltern Rangers CIC. +
F
The purpose of the project was to restore the natural retention capacity and give to enhance the alluvial valley habitats. The river was put back to its natural course and sediments were build up on the banks, allowing erosion to occur. This is for the river to change its course and benefit from the improved habitat.
LIFE funding enabled Natuurpunt to acquire sufficient land and remove obstacles to flooding, such as poplars and maize crops, to demonstrate that creating a ‘natural’ river that overflows into floodplains can alleviate flooding further downstream. For the creation of the new floodplains, it was necessary to destroy weekend cottages. Restoration also involved carrying out hydrological engineering works, such as the removal of a culvert under the River Ijsse and filling of the Leigracht drainage ditch for restoring the natural retention capacity of the river. Poplar plantations were removed to restore the grassland habitats remove and sow former arable land with seed mixtures taken from the local hay meadows.
Those farmers that resulted affected by the restoration of the floodplains and the changes in the water level management regime were compensated for no longer be able to cultivate poplar plantations. +
E
The purpose of the project was to restore the natural environment of Olivar- El Zaudín Metropolitan Park. There was a concern with the improvement and protection of the biodiversity, and the adjustments made to the Las Fuentes stream and the 4 existing lagoons took this into account: both vegetable and animal species, specially avifauna, that proliferated in the immediate vicinity of the stream were preserved.
The main works were realted to littler and debris removal, cleaning the stream of invasive plants and earthworks for riverbed and laggon improvement. Autochthonous vegetation plantation was also carried out, both in the immediate vicinity of the stream and in the entire park.
To improve social engamenent, existing pathways were intervened and improved, using environmental materials, and lamps and public furniture was included. In addition, a small building was built as a Nature Classroom, where citizen events related to nature can be carried out. +
R
The quantity and quality of riparian habitats in Ter River catchment have been deteriorating. Losses have been attributed to changes in natural river dynamics following agricultural, industrial and/or urban development along the riverbanks. Habitat degradation has been widespread and the problem is particularly acute in areas that were previously prone to natural flood cycles, or contained lagoons, ponds and mature alluvial forests.
The main focus for this project is the recovery of riparian habitats in the river Ter area, especially those classified as: alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa (Habitat 91E0*); Salix alba and Populus alba galleries (Habitat 92A0); and temporary Mediterranean ponds (Habitat 3170*). Works will cover habitat restoration actions supported by complementary measures to manage development pressures affecting the target sites.
This project counts with the support of local, regional and European institutions. The financing comes from the LIFE initiative and the Government of Cataluña. The total budget is 929.100€ (LIFE support 464.550€). +
M
The reach at Ilsington upstream of Nine Hatches on the River Frome has been significantly degraded through dredging and embankment creation through previous land drainage schemes over the past 40 years. In 2009 the Woodsford Channel project improved the reach immediately upstream of Nine Hatches; this project relooked at this reach and an additional 700 metres upstream.
The key aspects of the Martins River Island project were to: a) remove the raised embankments (to improve river and floodplain connection. b) to introduce new gravels to replace the historically dredged gravels (providing new spawning habitat), c) introduce large woody debris to the reach d) create new wetland habitats d) new riparian tree planting. +
U
The reach downstream of Louds Mill was an over wide channel with little marginal vegetation and poor in channel bed morphology. During low flows the river was spread over the whole width of the channel leading to a shallow river. Spawning potential in the reach were limited due to compacted and over silted gravels. There was also very little cover and in channel structure provided by tree and in channel woody debris.
The River Frome Rehabilitation Plan states the main proposals to improve the SSSI condition and WFD objectives of unit 1b and to incorporate as part of the Louds Mill Enhancement were to: a) reprofile banks (to narrow the low flow channel and improve the marginal zone b) to reprofile river bed (to clean the gravels of silt break its compacted nature – improving spawning potential) c) introduce large woody debris to the reach (d) new riparian tree planting (willow whips to be inserted into the bank edges and soft margins at key locations. +
L
The reach downstream of Louds Mill was an over wide channel with little marginal vegetation and poor in channel bed morphology. During low flows the river was spread over the whole width of the channel leading to a shallow river. Spawning potential in the reach were limited due to compacted and over silted gravels. There was also very little cover and in channel structure provided by tree and in channel woody debris.
The River Frome Rehabilitation Plan states the main proposals to improve the SSSI condition and WFD objectives of unit 1b and to incorporate as part of the Louds Mill Enhancement were to: a) reprofile banks (to narrow the low flow channel and improve the marginal zone b) to reprofile river bed (to clean the gravels of silt break its compacted nature – improving spawning potential) c) introduce large woody debris to the reach (d) new riparian tree planting (willow whips to be inserted into the bank edges and soft margins at key locations. +
R
The reach of the River Somer flowing through Midsomer Morton had been a focus of concern for many years. A complete lack of vegetation, weir impoundment and large amounts of silt accumulation were severely effecting habitat and amenity potential of the channel. This was in stark contrast to the natural brook up and downstream of the town.
Local residents formed the River Somer Management Team (RSMT), with the aim of improving the channel based around the following project objectives:
* Removal of three weirs
* Build new channel based on the geomorphology of the “natural” stretches of the River Somer
* To enhance the aesthetic value of the reach, including the development of vegetated margins, in channel flow regime and opportunities to engage with the public
* Restore habitats and enhance ecological value
* “bring trout to the town”
* Use localised materials
* Use construction techniques which are flood resistant
* Community engagement for construction, long term maintenance and educational opportunities
The project was split into four stages:
# Weir removal
# Berm construction
# Bed raising and fine adjustment
# Planting aquatic margins
The RSMT commissioned Woodland, Water and Gardens (Luke Kozak) as project consultants, designers and construction managers. BANES were commissioned as the overall project managers.
Construction started in May 2011 taking three weeks to complete. The planting phase was completed by volunteer Midsomer Norton residents.
The berms were constructed from coarse interlocking local limestone which did not exceed 30cm high. This allowed flow to be released over the berms, increasing channel capacity when needed (2-stage channel design). Flow events shortly after construction demonstrated the effectiveness of this design.
In June 2012 the first formal assessment took place post-project completion. This encompassed fish, invertebrate and vegetation assessment. The report concluded that: berms were intact and in good condition despite several high flow events, plant communities had matured well providing a diverse habitat, maintenance carried out by volunteers has helped to keep the channel litter free. Diversity of aquatic organisms has increased, and although some small silt deposits have form in low energy areas the channel in generally self-cleansing.
The project has been given a civic “Pride of Place” award for environmental enhancement, and the establishment of the RSMT will ensure the success of the project into the future.
The River Restoration Centre would like to thank Luke Kozak (Woodland, Water and Gardens) as well as Dominic Longley for providing the information and photographs for this case study.
The reach of the Rottal burn between Rottal Lodge and its confluence with the South Esk has historically been realigned and straightened since the 1830’s. In 2003, just prior to the Water Framework Directive coming into force, the stretch was dredged out destroying the existing habitat.
The works carried out in 2012 aimed to restore natural river processes and in stream and riparian habitat, specifically for Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel alongside other fish species. It is relevant to note that the freshwater pearl mussel is dependent on juvenile salmon populations for the completion of its life cycle.
Objectives of the project included:
• Restoration of the canalised water course as far as possible to its natural course (to be extended from 650m to 1,100m)
• Reconnection of the Rottal Burn with its flood plain
• Creation of a diverse riparian and aquatic habitat including the incorporation of the existing wetland habitat into the final restoration design
• Reduction in the unnaturally high sediment loading during high flow events which is then deposited in the lower reaches
• A return to a more natural flow regime
• Attenuation of flood peaks
• Visual enhancement of the area
• Restoration of sustainable, functional populations of multi-sea-winter salmon and trout and of freshwater pearl mussels
• The possibility of transferring freshwater pearl mussels into the burn will be investigated
• Development a demonstration site available for future research
• Provision of restoration experience which would be transferable to other similar situations within the catchment
Construction works were designed to create the restored channel without any import or export of materials, by using existing gravel embankments to provide any material needed. Large woody debris (trees with rootballs) which were sourced from the local estate, were used to reinforce possible areas of adjustment.
A two-phase construction programme was used; Firstly the new channel was constructed and vegetation growth allowed to take hold. Following this flow was diverted into the new channel. Challenges at the site included the remote location, adverse weather conditions and the presence of overhead services.
A number of sediment bar features have already formed, significantly improving the habitat, which is confirmed by the presence of salmon spawning in the new channel.
The primary funder for the project was the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). If you are interested in applying for funding to deliver other projects in Scotland, visit SEPA's Water Environment Fund webpage (http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/water_environment_fund.aspx).
E
The release of the experimental flood was performed in May 2014 in
order to improve river processes downstream of the dam (the Requejada Dam), and to
increase geomorphic and ecologic dynamics—nowadays impoverished
by dam operation. The release was conducted under a number of
constraints: (i.) ensuring the security of people and property (the
flooding protocol had to be activated in the river); (ii.) accommodating
an existing fishing preserve (Quintanaluengos), whose managers requested
a specific day of the week for the discharge; (iii.) the hydraulic
characteristics of the open-channel spillways in the dam (bottomwithdrawal
was not used during the discharge).
The flood was approximately calculated to fill the ordinary channel,
with a peak discharge of 96 m3
/s (associated with a recurrence interval
of 2.4 years), duration of 10.5 h, and total volume of 0.82 hm3
. The ramping rates were adjusted via logistic functions, and modified in the
hydrograph every 10 min (Fig. 2). In some river sections, the flow
slightly overtopped the bank and created minor flooding in adjacent
fields. +
I
The relevance of testing Wetland Contracts in Albufera de València as a voluntary, inclusive and integrative governance process relied in that many public bodies have competences in the wetland management (i.e. for water management: River Basin Authority, Environment Regional Council and Agriculture Regional Council, Irrigation communities, 13 towns and sewage treatment entities) but there is a clear lack of coordination mechanisms (i.e. the former Management Plan did not establish any competence to coordinate all the entities implicated in water management issues) as a weak interest in dealing with the definition of common interests of users as confrontations have been usual.
The participatory processes developed in l'Albufera for the testing of the implementation of a Wetland Contract began with a detailed context analysis. Regulatory framework, the conservation status of the wetland and the composition and structure of the local community were analysed. This previous work was relevant since it allowed identifying the main criticalities of the process (for example derived from a regulation concerning this type of processes, and the implementation of the new contract law in Spain). As Albufera de Valencia has a wide set of stakes and huge, complex interrelations between stakes, it was decided according to the context analysis to choose water management issue on which focus the participatory process and establish the relationships between stakeholders and know their interests.
The main previous work consisted in presenting the project to the two public administrations with competences in territorial planning and in the management of the wetland and protected area (River Basin Authority and Regional Government). This previous work had two main objectives. First, to prevent that the role of SEO/BirdLife (a conservation NGO with a wide experience in dealing with environmental conflicts in the wetland) as leader of the participatory process could generate distrust among some stakeholders. This work provided helped to reinforce the role of the external facilitator and to reduce tensions during the overall stakeholders ’interaction and make clear the position of SEO/BirdLife as an another stakeholder at the same level as the others.
Secondly, these alliances with national or regional administration allowed the creation of synergies with Regional Planning Tools (River Basin Plan and Natura 2000 site Management Plan), which include their own governance processes. The overlapping of the Wetland Contract in their respective processes was studied by a legal assessor and this helped to find common positions with the national and regional administration. This was a very positive result that allowed raising relevance and visibility to the project, facilitate the participation in the project of two main stakeholders on water management, and also helped to set the floor for ensuring governance approach after WETNET.
The participatory process has involved 40 stakeholders from all economic, public and private sectors through 4 main territorial labs and a series of face-to-face and petit-committee meetings throughout the participatory process. The process presented as na oriented scenario the “Albufera’s Special Plan” obtained from the consensus and negotiation between the main public entities with competences in wetland management, so that they felt comfortable in the participation and the rest of the actors could propose changes on this Special Plan under the Wetland Contract. The territorial labs were oriented to deal with three main axes: governance, environment and socioeconomic development. General assemblies were focused on sharing stakeholders’ positions on critical issues of the pilot area, setting the floor for open discussion. Some difficulties identified during the governance process was the occurrence of multi-role stakeholders, expectations management (previous governance process not satisfactory as expected) and low engagement of some relevant stakeholders. Confrontation and conflicts amongst stakeholders were less frequent than expected.
The project main results are:
• Improvement of governance – based in a more transparent, inclusive model of governance overcoming previous governance schemes in the wetland (i.e. Albufera Special Plan, and Natural Park Advisory Board).
• Empowerment of local community – through the creation of new channels for knowledge interchange.
• Arise of new a common, shared vision – through the establishment of new spaces for collaboration and motivation.
• Action Plan – based on a shared vision and operational goals to improve governance related with water management, allocating responsibilities for the implementation of actions aiming environmental protection, economic development and governance.
• Albufera de València Wetland Contract – adapted to national regulation framework and referred in Spanish as the “Albufera de València Memorandum of Cooperation”. To be signed by near 30 stakeholders (public and private) on December 2019.
The project main expectative and challenges after the Wetland Contract signature are:
• Imbrication of Wetland Contracts in new territorial planning tools (River Basin Plan, Natura 2000 site Management Plan) for improving governance and also incorporating the Wetland Contract Action Plan into the respective plans.
• Triggering obligations for structural, territorial actions which responsibility is of public bodies and are not possible to be developed by small stakeholders.
• Spread the word in Spain through technical meetings, collaborative work and technical assistance to River Basin Organisms’ officers in order to incorporate wetland contracts to the “Relevant Issues Scheme” in the River Basin Plans as a concrete tool for improving governance and preservation of wetlands.
• Triggering changes in the wetland governance regulation framework, as well as the creation of a local or regional regulatory framework to ease the implementation of the Action Plan through incentives in local and regional calls for funding.