Property:Project summary
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This is a property of type Text.
L
There have been significant flooding issues in the town of Cockermouth in recent years. A new flood defence scheme was constructed in 2014, which was overtopped by Storm Desmond in December 2015. There is no single solution and it will need multiple and varied solutions working with landowners to help flatten the flood peak in order to reduce future flood risk. At Low Stanger Farm (see Map 1), the existing flood embankment was breached along 4 sections to increase flood storage when the River Cocker is out of channel +
C
There is a well recorded history of flooding in Salford from the River Irwell, with the most severe events occurring in 1866 and 1946 and more recently in 2008 & 2015. Therefore there was a need to improve the standard of flood protection from a 1 in 75 to a 1 in 100 year standard. The only remaining area of greenspace to accommodate such a scheme was on the Castle Irwell site.
To undertake this innovative project the Environment Agency worked in partnership with Salford Council and University of Salford, to design and construct a new flood storage basin to better protect 1,900 homes and businesses, but also create a multifunctional recreational space including new urban wetland in heart of Salford.
The site is set on a large meander loop of the River Irwell in an urban area of Lower Kersal just 2.8km from Manchester city centre. As a former recreation site, it was an oasis of green in a largely urban environment, but had limited wildlife value.
Appraisal and design work started in January 2013 with construction beginning in 2015. The flood basin and wetland will be fully operational by June 2017 at a cost of approximately £9 million.
Working with local community, the University of Salford, Salford City Council, the Environment Agency identified an opportunity to work together to use land owned by University and Council to create a new flood basin to help reduce flood risk to people and property just downstream, but also create a new urban wildlife asset in the heart of city, interlinking with neighbouring River Irwell local wildlife site and Kersal Dale Local Nature Reserve on opposite bank.
Once the overall joint agreement for construction of new flood basin and wetland was agreed with all parties, and initial meetings with local community groups to seek their views, the Agency brought in the expertise of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to help develop detailed designs and maintenance plan for new 5.5Ha urban wetland
Community involvement - Community consultation, Community Events, River open days; River Walks; Bioblitz event; Education events, School Tours.
R
There is the potential to realign and re-naturalise the river corridor running through the site. The bed and banks could be broken out and replaced with a natural channel with a vegetated buffer zone, marginal banks and in channel gravels. This would greatly improve the in channel processes and improve fish passage and habitat for invertebrates and foraging opportunities for birds and bats. The site would also be ideal for a riverside walk providing recreational and educational opportunities and proving access to nature which is currently missing in this area. +
D
There were two parts to this project:
One to determine how a Rivers Trust might perform in assessing and rectifying a waterbody to comply with the Water Framework Directive.
The second: A review of current policy tools and funding mechanisms available to address water pollution from agriculture in England
WUF was delighted to have been asked to join the West Country Rivers Trust, The Severn Rivers Trust and The Rivers Trust (formerly the Association of Rivers Trusts) in assisting Alex Inman, the consultant involved in preparing the information and report for the second section. Caroline Sherrott, then WUF's Catchment Officer, carried out the assessment and report for our contribution to the first.
These reports are lengthy and can be downloaded by clicking on the links below
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/projects/DSEPP-Component-B-Final-Report-07-11-11.pdf
http://www.wyeuskfoundation.org/projects/WUF-Strategic-Evidence-Partnership-Project.pdf +
F
The upper floodplains of the river IJssel (Natura 2000 network) constitute large areas of several threatened habitats and species. Intensification and over- fertilisation leading towards a monotonous landscape with low nature value and high euthophication are major issues for the ecology of the IJssel and its floodplains. In addition, populations of many plant and animal species are fragmented as a result of habitat loss for these species.
This project located in the floodplains along the river IJssel were to enlarge the area of characteristic riverine habitats of the restored area, then to create biotopes for species associated with these habitats that are included in the Natura 2000 network. Other linked projects located further downstream will enhance habitat connectivity along the river after completion for the benefit of wildlife populations. +
Q
The vision of the project, was to reduce crime and fear of crime in order to increase use and enjoyment of the river and its surroundings. The aims were to create new community open space called Cornmill Gardens near Lewisham town centre and to create a new river channel, meandering through the middle of the park Ladywell Fields. +
L
This LIFE Project is still in progress. In the River Danube the restoration work of re-establishment of lateral flowing waters was
completed by digging out more than 4 km. Together with the measures of the LIFE project Wachau there are now in total about
10 km lateral flowing waters restored- most of all historic situations. In addition the mouth of River Pielach was shaped as a
delta and the possibility of fish migration into an old shallow waterbody near the town of Melk was improved by a fish pass. At
River Ybbs restoration work is done at 3 locations near the town of Amstetten by widening the river bed with the aim to create
typical gravel bars, gravel island and riparian zones. +
R
This LIFE project aimed to re-establish a natural water flow level of the river by transporting sufficiently treated wastewater back to the river ecosystem, with insights to implement a concerted conservation action plan to restore and maintain a good conservation status of selected habitat types and species of the four Natura 2000 sites in within the Mølleåen river ecosystem. The restoration also aims to address eutrophication, watercourse modification and encroachment. +
B
This Project is part of a larger scheme with the overall aim of establishing a population of brown trout in the Carshalton arm of the River Wandle for the first time in over 80 years. For more background on this larger scheme, please refer to the parent project "River Wandle Restoration Project".
The weir at Millpond Place was notched to restore natural flow to the upstream channel.
The over-wide and straightened channel was narrowed and a new bank line created with the help of volunteers by using chestnut faggot bundles pinned into place with chestnut stakes.
Silt from the channel was then moved behind the faggot bundles to create a new bank. Brash and topsoil were added to stabilise this new bank and 1000 native aquatic plants and three planted coir rolls were installed to further stabilise it with the help of volunteers.
Seventy tonnes of gravel were added to the newly modified channel and carefully distributed to create riffles, pools and bars giving rise to a variety of new habitat areas for fish, invertebrates and plants.
Further habitat works were carried out in channel with volunteers, adding Large Woody Debris flow deflectors to diversify the flow. Two “Dragon’s Tooth” berms were created by installing logs and brash bundles. Almost 100 volunteers were involved over several weekends. +
R
This Project is part of a larger scheme with the overall aim of establishing a population of brown trout in the Carshalton arm of the River Wandle for the first time in over 80 years. For more background on this larger scheme, please refer to the parent project "River Wandle Restoration Project".
The overall aim of this Project was to trial and evaluate innovative control measures for mitigation of urban diffuse pollution in an urban environment.
The River Wandle turned black with road runoff every time it rained and whilst Environment Agency data did not detect a problem (due to spot sampling rather than continuous monitoring methods), the Trust suspected river sediments were contaminated and the first flush after rain caused fluctuating water quality, likely limiting the successful recruitment of trout.
The Trust worked with an MSc student from Queen Mary University and confirmed that copper and 15 types of PAH were at a level that would have a severe effect on aquatic biota.
To reduce urban diffuse pollution, five innovative measures were installed and trialled to determine their effectiveness for mitigation of urban diffuse pollution, particularly road runoff:
To reduce urban diffuse pollution, five innovative measures were installed and trialled to determine their effectiveness for mitigation of urban diffuse pollution, particularly road runoff:
1. Rain Gardens installed to intercept surface water and aesthetically enhance an area in Hackbridge.
2. Downstream Defenders (DD) intercept surface water drains and remove sediment by centrifugal force.
3. Mycofilters are bags full of a substrate as a feedstock for the native oyster mushroom which accumulate toxins such as heavy metals from the passing water. A total of 180 mycofilters were made and grown by a team of volunteers, installed in 4 locations on the lower Wandle.
4. Siltex is a natural chalk-like substance which helps to increase the speed of silt breakdown by stimulating natural processes. Working with local volunteers, Siltex was added to Carshalton Ponds in November 2014 and samples taken for the proceeding months to determine the effectiveness.
5. Smart Sponges are a commercial product specially designed to absorb oils mixed in water. When placed in gully pots, Smart Sponges can permanently remove oils from the drainage system before they enter the rivers. A total of 23 Smart Sponges were installed in gully pots along the catchment of one surface water drain linking to a DD.
This Project is part of a larger scheme with the overall aim of establishing a population of brown trout in the Carshalton arm of the River Wandle for the first time in over 80 years. For more background on this larger scheme, please refer to the parent project "River Wandle Restoration Project".
Flood risk and hydraulic assessment of the weir and fish pass were carried out in conjunction with Matt Horritt Consulting. Works were delivered with the help of appointed contractors Aquamaintain Ltd under the supervision of South East Rivers Trust staff.
The weir at Butter Hill bridge was partially lowered to restore natural flow to the upstream channel and the fish pass modified to improve its efficiency.
Upstream of the weir the over-straight, over-wide channel was narrowed and modified to create a meandering sequence using a combination of gravel, hazel faggots, chestnut posts and coir geotextile with silt from the channel and brash as backfill.
The banks on both sides of the channel were then re-graded to create marginal and transitional habitats. A variety of marginal plant species were introduced to assist with naturalisation by a team of 15 volunteers.
Downstream, for 300 m, channel narrowing and meandering was continued and gravel and Large Woody Debris was introduced along the whole reach to further diversify the river flow and replicate natural hydromorphological processes, creating habitats for invertebrates and all life stages of fish.
Trees were also removed in phases over a two year period to increase light in selected places and encourage plant growth along the whole 500 m reach. +
This Project is part of a larger scheme with the overall aim of establishing a population of brown trout in the Carshalton arm of the River Wandle for the first time in over 80 years. For more background on this larger scheme, please refer to the parent project "River Wandle Restoration Project".
This project was delivered in three phases working with the Environment Agency, the Wild Trout Trust and local volunteers.
The first phase involved lowering three small weirs, which were a potential barrier to fish trying to move upstream to spawn, and restoring the natural flow of the river in this section.
The second phase involved a ‘Practical Visit’ from the Wild Trout Trust through which Wandle Trust staff and over 50 volunteers were trained in simple river enhancement techniques. Woody debris was secured in the channel to vary the flow and create local scour on the river bed, increasing habitat diversity. Cover logs were raised off the riverbed and anchored to enable fish to take cover underneath when vegetation is sparse in winter.
The final phase incorporated the Environment Agency installing a Larinier fish pass on the large 1.8 m high weir at Butter Hill. +
L
This area comprises a series of large lakes with the River Wylye, a chalk stream, flowing through the centre of them. Langford lakes and the River Wylye are renowned for their popularity for angling but fish populations have declined over recent years. In an attempt to trap sediment and diversify flow, a number of natural materials have been introduced to the stream. Creation of a V weir. +
This intervention is part of the LIFE RISORGIVE (LIFE14 NAT/IT/000938) “Conservation of biodiversity in the Municipality of Bressanvido”. The general objective of the LIFE RISORGIVE is for the reinstatement and consolidation of the green infrastructure that consists of a network of resurgences, irrigation ditches and channels in the Bressanvido District (Vicenza– Italy). This infrastructure is located in an area with a strong agricultural (dairy farming) orientation: within this context the loss of biodiversity caused by the intense exploitation of the territory can be significantly reduced. LIFE RISORGIVE includes 26 resurgence systems (a total of 43 springheads) that have already been identified by a previous census, their banks, irrigation ditches and connected waterways. The restoration of the 26 resurgences involves stakeholders who an essential role in their protection and enhancement such as land reclamation authority, farmers, ecological associations, fishermen.
Specifically, the interventions envisaged for the environmental requalification for the "Roggia Tergola Sud" project are:
(1) Hydraulic and morphological restoration and redevelopment interventions (Restoration of hydraulic functionality; Morphological redevelopment: reshaping and re-profiling of the banks; Excavation of the isthmus to create an island used for the reproduction of target species). (2) Vegetation redevelopment interventions (Recovery and arrangement of the bank vegetation with the planting of native species suitable for the resurgence environment; Creation of lowland groves; Restoration of natural habitats such as wet, temporary and permanent areas. (3) Creation of didactic panels and signs. +
This intervention is part of the LIFE RISORGIVE (LIFE14 NAT/IT/000938) “Conservation of biodiversity in the Municipality of Bressanvido”. The general objective of the LIFE RISORGIVE is for the reinstatement and consolidation of the green infrastructure that consists of a network of resurgences, irrigation ditches and channels in the Bressanvido District (Vicenza– Italy). This infrastructure is located in an area with a strong agricultural (dairy farming) orientation: within this context the loss of biodiversity caused by the intense exploitation of the territory can be significantly reduced. LIFE RISORGIVE includes 26 resurgence systems (a total of 43 springheads) that have already been identified by a previous census, their banks, irrigation ditches and connected waterways. The restoration of the 26 resurgences involves stakeholders who an essential role in their protection and enhancement such as land reclamation authority, farmers, ecological associations, fishermen.
Specifically, the interventions envisaged for the environmental requalification for the "Bacino Castellaro" project are:
(1) Hydraulic and morphological restoration and redevelopment interventions (Restoration of hydraulic functionality; Morphological redevelopment: reshaping and re-profiling of the banks; Reopening of the head of the Castellaro spring system). (2) Vegetation redevelopment interventions (Recovery and arrangement of the bank vegetation with the planting of native species suitable for the resurgence environment; Thickening hedges; Restoration of natural habitats such as wet, temporary and permanent areas. (3) Creation of didactic panels and signs. +
This intervention is part of the LIFE RISORGIVE (LIFE14 NAT/IT/000938) “Conservation of biodiversity in the Municipality of Bressanvido”. The general objective of the LIFE RISORGIVE is for the reinstatement and consolidation of the green infrastructure that consists of a network of resurgences, irrigation ditches and channels in the Bressanvido District (Vicenza– Italy). This infrastructure is located in an area with a strong agricultural (dairy farming) orientation: within this context the loss of biodiversity caused by the intense exploitation of the territory can be significantly reduced. LIFE RISORGIVE includes 26 resurgence systems (a total of 43 springheads) that have already been identified by a previous census, their banks, irrigation ditches and connected waterways. The restoration of the 26 resurgences involves stakeholders who an essential role in their protection and enhancement such as land reclamation authority, farmers, ecological associations, fishermen.
Specifically, the interventions envisaged for the environmental requalification for the "Roggia Girosa" project are:
(1) Construction of structures that encourage people to use the Girosa spring for tourism / educational purposes such as: creation of a new path for visiting the spring and the Girosa canal to be built partly in the left hydraulic part and in the right hydraulic part, parallel to the path of the irrigation ditch, by laying, where necessary, gravelly background material with a stabilized finishing layer and vertical signage of the path consisting of wooden poles and signposts; construction of wooden bridges, with any protective barriers, to allow people to walk and move during the visit to the spring, and to allow the crossing of the canal from the hydraulic left to the hydraulic right side and vice versa; (2) Hydraulic and morphological restoration and redevelopment interventions (Morphological redevelopment: reshaping and re-profiling of the banks; Installation of deflectors, constrictors and stones and boulders inside the resurgence (3) Vegetation redevelopment interventions (Restoration and arrangement of the bank vegetation planting native species suitable for the resurgence environment, Restoration of natural habitats such as wet, temporary and permanent areas); (4) Creation of didactic panels and signs.
This intervention is part of the LIFE RISORGIVE (LIFE14 NAT/IT/000938) “Conservation of biodiversity in the Municipality of Bressanvido”. The general objective of the LIFE RISORGIVE is for the reinstatement and consolidation of the green infrastructure that consists of a network of resurgences, irrigation ditches and channels in the Bressanvido District (Vicenza– Italy). This infrastructure is located in an area with a strong agricultural (dairy farming) orientation: within this context the loss of biodiversity caused by the intense exploitation of the territory can be significantly reduced. LIFE RISORGIVE includes 26 resurgence systems (a total of 43 springheads) that have already been identified by a previous census, their banks, irrigation ditches and connected waterways. The restoration of the 26 resurgences involves stakeholders who an essential role in their protection and enhancement such as land reclamation authority, farmers, ecological associations, fishermen.
Specifically, the interventions envisaged for the environmental requalification for the "Fontane Marzare" project are:
(1) Hydraulic and morphological restoration and redevelopment interventions (Restoration of hydraulic functionality and reopening/reactivation of the resurgence; Morphological redevelopment: reshaping and re-profiling of the banks; Creation of a small pond for amphibious and other animals (surface: 70 square metres; depth: 1 metre). (2) Vegetation redevelopment interventions (Recovery and arrangement of the bank vegetation with the planting of native species suitable for the resurgence environment; (3) Creation of didactic panels and signs. +
LIFE GREENCHANGE (LIFE17 NAT/IT/000619) – Environmental restoration of the wet ecosystem along the Ufente river +
This intervention is part of the project LIFE GREENCHANGE “GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES FOR INCREASING BIODIVERSITY IN AGRO PONTINO AND MALTESE RURAL AREAS” (LIFE17 NAT/IT/000619). In line with the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and with the Communication from the Commission on Green Infrastructures, LIFE GREENCHANGE intends to contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity and to enhance the ecological value of the agricultural systems of the Agro Pontino and of the northern region of Malta, by planning and implementing Green Infrastructures and multifunctional actions in rural, semi-natural and natural areas.
In particular, this intervention consists of the Sub-action C3.3 “Redevelopment of planar environment with the creation of wetlands, hygrophilous and mesophilous woods, stable meadows”.
The area of intervention concerns a portion of the territory of the Pontine Plain and more precisely the stretch of the Ufente river between Sezze Scalo and the Gricilli area.
The aim of the intervention is to improve the conservation status of habitats and strengthen their function as reproductive and refuge sites for species of conservation interest by creating a mosaic of ecosystems due to the increase in local biodiversity linked to wetlands and to traditional rural landscapes.
- Vegetation choices: The works will consist in the re-naturalization of a rectified canal section replacing the infesting vegetation, thus eradicating the riparian vegetation currently consisting almost exclusively of Arundo donax and the subsequent planting of local species Quercus robur L., Alnus glutinosa L., Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. Oxycarpa, Ulmus minor Mill., Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Cornus sanguinea L., Euonymus europea L., Prunus spinosa L., Rubus ulmifolius Schott, Typha latifolia L. and Phragmites australis.
- Hydraulic design choices: The project also includes the redevelopment of the area through the construction of permanent wet lentic environments (two ponds, one smaller in the north-west area and another more important in the south-east area). In addition, six different areas are built in embankments, of which four are located between the two ponds and the other two outside towards the east and west borders. Trees and shrubs will be planted on these hills, but mainly Quercus rubur, Fraxinus oxycarpa and Alnus glutinosa. On two of these areas, two observation towers camouflaged in the surrounding environment will be built for observation of the area and the fauna. In the area surrounding the ponds and hills, a stable lawn will be built with a widespread plant of shrubbery to reconstitute a green infrastructure typical of agricultural areas of high natural value.
- Management: In accordance with the objectives of the LIFE GREENCHANGE project, the redevelopment of the Ufente river is also an opportunity to create economic development. In fact, the project area will be shared in its management with some operators in the livestock sector.
- Fruition: In accordance with the objectives of the LIFE GREENCHANGE project, attention was focused on the dissemination of the experiences and results of the project in such a way as to bring as many people as possible to the issues of biodiversity and the rational use of resources, in particular water way. Therefore, in the development of the final project the construction of two wooden observation towers of about 20 square meters was planned. each, to allow visitors interested in observing the birds that distinguish wetlands at various stages of the year.
LIFE GREENCHANGE (LIFE17 NAT/IT/000619) – Construction of green infrastructures in the Fondazione Caetani farm – Restoration of the Fosso Epitaffio +
This intervention is part of the project LIFE GREENCHANGE “GREEN INFRASTRUCTURES FOR INCREASING BIODIVERSITY IN AGRO PONTINO AND MALTESE RURAL AREAS” (LIFE17 NAT/IT/000619). In line with the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 and with the Communication from the Commission on Green Infrastructures, LIFE GREENCHANGE intends to contribute to halting the loss of biodiversity and to enhance the ecological value of the agricultural systems of the Agro Pontino and of the northern region of Malta, by planning and implementing Green Infrastructures and multifunctional actions in rural, semi-natural and natural areas.
This intervention is part of the Action 5 “Construction of green infrastructures in the Fondazione Caetani farm”. The action consists in the implementation of demonstration projects aimed at increasing biodiversity in the Caetani Foundation farm without loss in terms of productivity. The farm is involved in the construction, management and maintenance of the interventions through the signing of land stewardship agreement.
In particular, it consists of the Sub-action 5.1. “Restoration of the Fosso Epitaffio”.
The Fosso Epitaffio is located inside the Fondazione Caetani farm crossing it diagonally from north to south, and is also the main hydraulic line belonging to the secondary network of the Agro Pontino Reclamation Consortium.
- remodeling and extension of the river bank and creation of a riparian arboreous shrubland;
- planting of hygrophilous shrub species, and a first band of elophytes (Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia) and a second with shrubby and planar shrubby and arboreal species (Salix spp, Populus spp, Ulmus minor, Quercus robur).
- remodeling also some sections of the riverbed for the creation of different conditions of the river flow speed and morpho-bathymetric heterogeneity functional to fauna, especially amphibious.
Multi-wire formations are foreseen, combining rows of only helophyte shrubs, and trees managed with coppice. Plantings of 2 ml were used for shrub species, 5 meters for tree species managed by coppice. The distance between the rows is at least 5 meters for tree species. The average hydraulic section is considerably enlarged by the remodeling action, thus not prejudicing the liquid transport capacity of the rod. The distances between the rows and on the row will be maintained even if they are used in the planting, a provision that is closest to the natural one, both as regards the species and the position. The work will have a linear development of 1,300 ml for a total width of 10 ml. The creation of the vegetated strip will affect approximately 5m only on the left bank of the ditch, allowing the reconstitution of a transversal and longitudinal river continuum to the watercourse capable of performing important naturalistic, landscape and mitigation of the percolating polluting load.
The remodeling will allow to obtain also different conditions of current velocity and morpho-bathymetric heterogeneity functional to the above all amphibian fauna.
R
This is a community-led project in the catchments of the Roe and Ive Becks in Cumbria (Map 1) where the Roe Catchment Community Water Management Group, the Eden Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency, Durham University, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Cumbria County Council, the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust are working in partnership. A Masters by Research (MRes) project at Durham University commissioned by the project has identified the most important locations and techniques for reducing peak flow, and is now carrying out subsoiling, implementing targeted tree planting and creating leaky dams. The project is also one of the Cumbria Flood Partnership pilot catchments. There has been a positive approach to self-help with individual property resilience measures installed and a community flood warden scheme now in place.
The local community has been flooded 3 times. In 2005 and 2013 many houses were catastrophically flooded, with the property repairs taking over a year in several cases and some residents forced out of their homes. Working with Durham University this project has implemented various Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures to help reduce flood risk. To date this includes:
• soil aeration/subsoiling across 156 acres (63.1ha)
• installation of 25 leaky dams
Local residents have installed property level resilience measures, which alongside these NFM measures, helps to make their properties more resilient to flooding. +