Property:Project summary
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S
This project was delivered by East Mercia Rivers Trust on land owned by Buckminster Estates. Although the Upper Witham which flows through the site had retained a meandering course, the river had become very disconnected from its floodplain with very little gravel in the channel. The aim of the project was to improve the river’s connectivity with the floodplain and in the process, enhance both river and floodplain habitat across the site. This was achieved by the lowering of areas of floodplain across the site and the introduction of limestone gravel riffles and point bars. The selective addition of woody material at certain locations further improved habitat.
A backwater was created along with floodplain ponds and the enhancement of spring tributaries from the valley sides allowed the creation of ground water fed scrapes. All material removed from the valley bottom was landscaped on the valley sides outside of the floodplain and planted with wildflower seed. +
M
This project was jointly undertaken by the Wild Trout Trust and Environment Agency.
There were five components to the scheme:
*Removal of redundant flood bank, and lowering of the floodplain to create a terraced floodplain with a lower more frequently connected floodplain and a higher terrace of un-lowered floodplain. This gives maximum
benefit to the river and natural processes whilst providing some variation in flood event storage and habitat evolution and variety.
*Addition of riffles and gravel supply in the form of point bars and islands and splitting of channel into multiple threads creating a more natural form and allowing the river space to adjust to changes in flow but also allow natural processes like silt deposition, channel evolution, less intensive management, woody material to be retained in channel and on flood plain. The gravel raises the bed helping to connect the river into the floodplain reducing the amount of spoil generated to lower floodplain as well as providing rich habitats for riverine wildlife.
*Creation of floodplain ponds and terrestrial habitat features like habitat piles, stone piles for hibernacular, and woody material on the floodplain to encourage further hydraulic roughness in high flow events
*Spreading of spoil over the top of the valley sides outside of the floodplain, this was then reseeded with appropriate wildflower grassland mix and provides pollinator benefits. +
C
This project was part of the Cumbria River Restoration Strategy which aims to develop demonstration sites of best practice river restoration.
The purpose of these projects is to make rivers more natural so they do not require costly maintenance (now the responsibility of the landowner) and improve the habitat for aquatic species. West Cumbria Rivers Trust is delivering these projects on behalf of the Environment Agency and Natural England and the aim is to complete a limited number of these projects so they can be used as demonstration sites for farmers and landowners. To-date, one major project has been completed on Whit Beck (near Lorton). Whit Beck is an actively eroding stream which drains off the Lorton Fells. It joined the River Cocker approximately three quarters of a kilometre upstream the Low Lorton village. The River Cocker then joins the River Derwent at Cockermouth. The River Derwent is of national and European significance and is classified as both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
This project was undertaken on Whit Beck, a fast flowing spate tributary of the River Cocker (River Derwent SSSI) in the English Lake District. A 350m section of heavily modified raised river channel was successfully diverted to natural self-sustainable diverse 1200m long watercourse. This meant natural river processes and features were restored, the length of stream was increased, habitats were created for fish spawning, the channel was reconnected to the floodplain, and riparian trees provided wildlife corridors.
The work on the River Derwent and its tributaries (streams) forms part of the North West River Basin Management Plan, which aims to improve the health of all rivers and water bodies in the North West of England to meet standards set out in the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). This project, jointly funded by Natural England and the Environment Agency, will help contribute to meeting these standards by improving both water quality and enabling the river / stream to function more naturally.
L
This project was the first in Thames Region to be delivered by the Environment Agency using funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s (ODPM, now DCLG) Sustainable Communities Fund.
In May 2004 we submitted a bid to the ODPM for £1million to undertake a series of environmental enhancements along the River Roding in its lower reaches where it passes through the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Newham. The funding bid was approved in October 2004 and the project had to be delivered by the end of the funding period in March 2006.
'''BACKGROUND'''
The River Roding is a tributary of the River Thames. It rises to the north east of London and flows south through East London, through and along the boundary of a number of London Boroughs, before joining the River Thames in Barking. The lower reaches of the River Roding are tidal and the land adjacent to the River Roding throughout the project area is protected from tidal and fluvial flooding by flood defences. In addition to these defences the Barking Barrier protects the area from extreme high tides. This barrier is part of the Thames tidal defences. The Barking Barrier is situated at the confluence of the River Thames and the River Roding.
The Lower Roding Regeneration Project covers 4.5km of the River Roding where it flows through the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and London Borough of Newham, between grid references TQ 436848 and TQ 458816.
The lower reaches of the River Roding are extremely urbanised and many of the riverside areas are of low environmental quality with poor aesthetic appeal and are difficult to access. Infrastructure barriers currently make it a difficult landscape to easily navigate and enjoy. These barriers include a railway line crossing and the A13 trunk road, creating east-west barriers, and the A406 North Circular Road running parallel to but set back from the west bank of the river. +
G
This project was undertaken by the Guash Fishing Club following a report from the Wild Trout Trust. The project has been split into two phases which concentrated on a stretch of the the River Guash between Tolethorpe and Ryhall Rutland. Issues with the stretch included slow velocities, partially blocked channels and a lack of light. The aims and objectives of the project were:
* To allow more light in.
* Remove fallen trees which were obstructing the flow.
* Improve the general flow of the water.
* Create a better environment for fish spawning.
To succeed in reaching these aims and objectives cheap but effective measures were used. The tree canopy was opened up to allow more light into the channel and large branches which were partially blocking the flow were removed. To improve the flow of the water, wooden deflectors were created to narrow the channel and generate more varied flows for fish. As well as this, gravel and silts were deposited to create a better environment for fish spawning. +
This project was undertaken to improve river habitat in a section of the Upper Witham through Urban Grantham. It followed on from an urban opportunities study and similar work at Dysart Park (Rivers Trust) and Wyndham Park Phase 1 (EA). There is a near continuous, accessible, river corridor along the river through the town which takes in 2 large, popular parks. The river here has been heavily modified which has had a significant impact on the habitat and its appearance.
The works aimed to improve the habitat, look of the river and to try and reinstate some natural river processes within the constraints of an urban environment e.g flood risk. River works were complemented by the planting of wildflower meadows and urban wetlands along the river corridor.
The river work involved daylighting, tree hinging, berm creation and the addition of gravel to the channel at 4 sperate project sites. Local volunteers, including the River Care group in particular assisted contractors in undertaking the works. +
P
This project was undertaken to improve river habitat in a section of the Upper Witham downstream of a large weir. Despite flowing through an area of woodland with good riparian wetland habitat and some sinuosity, the bed material was almost exclusively large cobbles. Very little gravel was available for trout spawning, as a result of the interruption of natural sediment transport processes by the weir. In addition, there was little woody material habitat in the river. The project to address this occurred in two phases. In 2022, the Blue Green Corridor project led by SKDC worked in conjunction with Grantham Angling Association (Fly Fishing Section) to hinge existing trees into the river to create berm features and also secured trunks that fully spanned the river. The latter aiming to create scour pools underneath. In 2023, the Wild Trout Trust completed the works by adding gravel onto the sill of the weir at the upstream extent of the reach. In subsequent high flow events, including Storm Babet, the gravel could then naturally start to move into position downstream. +
E
This project will aim to target catchment restoration by (i) initiating changes to agricultural land management including arable reversion to extensively managed permanent grassland and broadleaved woodland (ii) creating new wetland habitats through temporary flood storage & water retention areas on farmland (iii) enhancing and maintaining river channels (iv) upgrading channels and ditches (v) improvements to agricultural soil management (vi) awareness raising for communities (vi) monitoring to demonstrate positive change and (vii) reporting and disseminating best practice. +
S
This project will deliver a series of measures identified in the Leighton Moss and Haweswater Diffuse Water Pollution (DWP) plan to benefit Leighton Moss SSSI, SPA and Hawes Water SSSI / SAC / NNR. Currently Leighton Moss is failing to meet its WFD objectives. The SSSI / SPA recovering condition is on the basis of the existence of the DWP plan. Delivery of this plan is now required to ensure that SSSI/ SPA status genuinely improves to favourable.
Working with the Environment Agency, Natural England and local farmers and landowners, the project will implement the DWP delivering the following:
• Deployment of resource protection farm advisors, to be part of detailed and ongoing discussions with a neighbouring estate, its tenant farmers and a number of private farms, to identify land use change and measures to be implemented. This includes drawing up detailed and costed individual farm plans – this work is crucial to allow discussions to move forward, so implications are fully understood, with the objective of getting these farms into ELS / HLS management. Contract administered by the Arnside & Silverdale AONB Partnership.
• Feasibility study for use of constructed wetlands – current catchment studies have identified possible suitable locations for constructed wetlands. Further work is needed to look into the full design, engineering and implications of these.
• Implementation of constructed wetlands – once the feasibility work and discussions with neighbouring landowners are complete, capital works are needed to create constructed wetlands.
• Capital grant for on-farm infrastructure measures (e.g. slurry pits, roofing) – to complement and extend what was made available via earlier Catchment Sensitive Farming project.
Works include: On-farm remedial measures e.g. separation of foul and rain water. +
This project will develop dialogue with farmers and communities during this river basin management cycle and contribute to achieving long term land management solutions. These solutions will be achieved in partnership, they will ultimately achieve good status, and contribute to a vibrant low carbon economy that facilitates business and enterprise and enhances biodiversity. Establish at least 800 metres of wet woodland / carr riparian buffer strips at up to 10 metres wide on demonstration sites.
Works include: Creation of wet woodland, Creation of carr riparian buffer strips. +
H
This project will improve habitat for fish by modifying in stream morphology, cleaning gravels and removing a significant barrier to migration. This will benefit brown trout and grayling by improving opportunities for spawning, increasing habitat for juvenile fish and allowing fish to access and repopulate the upper reaches of the Kennet. +
E
This project will improve the habitat and water quality of rivers within the Eden catchment in Cumbria. The River Eden is of international importance for its wildlife and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It supports many significant species including white-clawed crayfish, salmon, trout, eel, bullhead, lamprey, otter, water vole, invertebrates of river shingle and water crowfoot. The Eden is the best remaining stronghold of the endangered white-clawed crayfish, which is threatened and declining across the UK and Western Europe.
The Eden catchment comprises 98 water bodies. Under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) classification 59% of these fail to achieve Good Ecological Status and none of them are in “high” condition.
Problems within the Eden are due to agriculture, sewage, septic tanks, urbanisation, invasive species and poor quality habitats along and within rivers.
The project will restore more natural features in and around rivers and reduce the impact of diffuse pollution arising from agriculture. It aims to protect and expand populations of white-clawed crayfish as well as those of other valued river species. This will be achieved by installing riverside fencing (20 km), planting riverside trees (6,000), producing 20 farm assessments in areas of crayfish populations, carrying out improvement work on 20 farms to reduce diffuse pollution and carrying out in-stream habitat improvements at 5 locations.
Community Involvement - There will be a greater understanding and stewardship of the river environment amongst farmers and other land owners, volunteers and the general public. +
S
This project will reduce diffuse water pollution, erosion, over-grazing and siltation, and improve water quality and habitat. The River Rawthey is currently in moderate condition due to diffuse pollution.
We will work with farmers and landowners to create buffer strips by fencing in river banks, excluding stock and allowing the natural regeneration of habitat, and planting trees. We will also carry out banking revetment repair work to minimise erosion and sedimentation. 2000 metres of buffer strips will be established and they will be up to 10 metres wide on demonstration sites. Current water body status is moderate and we anticipate that we will move areas into good condition. +
This project, set in the heart of Saltwells NNR, was one of several across the Black Country that collectively advanced the Severn Rivers Trust's efforts in the Worcestershire Middle Severn catchment area. With funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Black Country Blue Networks 2 project enabled this work between 2021 and 2023.
After multiple on-site discussions, we ultimately decided to pursue a stage 0 channel restoration. This approach, which involved resetting the river to allow it to develop a more natural single or multi-channel structure, was particularly exciting. However, due to the site’s highly urbanized setting, concerns arose about flood risk, access challenges, historical pollution, infrastructure impacts, and public perception.
Initial Meetings:
At the project’s outset, staff from the Severn Rivers Trust engaged with Dudley Council rangers to identify potential site-specific features that could benefit the blue network. The senior ranger vaguely remembered a weir within the NNR. Since access was challenging, clearing a path was necessary to reach the site and assess the structure's passability. Upon visiting the site and conducting the assessment, we confirmed that the weir remained intact and posed a complete barrier to fish passage. As a result, we began developing a project to either remove or bypass this barrier.
Getting Started:
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) supported the idea of removing or bypassing the weir. Given that Black Brook is classified as an ordinary watercourse, we held pre-application meetings with the Lead Local Flood Authority. It’s common for Severn Rivers Trust staff to conduct desk studies during this stage to support the application. This involves reviewing services, historical maps, species data, and other relevant information to shape project plans. During this analysis, we uncovered previously unknown site features, including a second, larger weir upstream and a greater extent of channel straightening and dredging than initially identified. These findings, made possible through LiDAR analysis, highlighted the value of thorough preliminary research.
Project Development:
Considering the entire site, it became clear that restoring the channel to its natural state would require significant funding and cause substantial environmental disturbance to the reach. Machine access would be difficult, necessitating bog matting and wide-track equipment along the length of the site. This led us to explore a stage 0 approach, which involved installing a single channel block to divert water from the artificial channel. This would allow the water to naturally reshape its path across the landscape on the true left-hand bank. As the water carved its way, new channels would form in the landscape, creating a dynamic, braided wetland that could move laterally and stay fully connected to the surrounding floodplain.
Design and Consenting:
Given the project’s location, diverting water out of the established channel raised concerns about potential risks to the wider landscape and local community. Therefore, detailed modeling was required to obtain ordinary watercourse consent. Dynamic Rivers conducted the modeling, allowing us to evaluate the potential impacts of three different blockage designs. By incorporating topography and flow data, we could conclude that the project would not have negative effects and would likely enhance the catchment's resilience to high-flow events.
To mitigate risks of erosion and damage to downstream infrastructure during high flows, trees were felled across the bund and downstream to prevent bank erosion as the brook returned to its previous channel.
Project Delivery:
The contractor, Sandfields, was selected through a competitive tendering process, ensuring a range of skills for the work. During site visits with the contractor, we agreed on a high bankside approach to minimize impacts on riparian vegetation and reduce the risk of equipment becoming bogged down. Arrangements for site access were coordinated with the council well in advance, and public notices were posted weeks before the project began. Mobilization and the on-site work were completed over two days.
C
This reach is located at Charlton St Peter and is 1945m in length. The reach is designated SSSI but not SAC. There is good marginal habitat along both banks due to electric fencing being used to protect the banks from livestock. The upstream end of the channel is deeply incised with low floodplain connectivity as a result; the upstream end of the reach may have been dredged in the past. Ranunculus fluitantis is prevalent when the channel opens up and is not densely shaded. There is a private fishery nearby managed by the Rushall Estate.
There is evidence that the channel downstream of Charlton St Peter has been dredged. This has resulted in the formation of some high levees adjacent to the channel, which cut off the river from the floodplain and over-shades it in places. +
F
This reach is located at France Farm and is 907m in length. The reach includes France Farm hatch, which consist of 2 hatch boards (recently replaced), and causes a major barrier to fish migration and the impoundment extends upstream for around 1km. There is also a stocked fishing pond which is maintained by an offtake from the impounded upstream river.
The project involved lowering the level of an existing online pond which allowed for the full and permenant opening of all the hatches on the main river.
The proposed works on the main river upstream of the structre will be delayed until observations of any geomorphological change on the river. +
L
This reach is located to the south of Enford and is 1535m in length. The original reach has been sub-divided into two due to the overall length of the reach (1.5km) and differing channel characteristics. This note therefore refers to the upstream section only, between Enford Bridge and Enford Grange, approximately 0.5km in length. The reach is designated SSSI and SAC. There reach is privately fished.
Downstream of Enford Bridge the channel has been altered in the past due to dredging and straightening. The channel is deep and flow is slow and uniform, which is causing the deposition of silt within the channel, obscuring the gravel bed below. The reach is also affected by an impoundment caused by a wooden board and stone weir at Enford Grange. This structure impounds the river for at least 150m upstream and possibly further, resulting in uniform flow conditions and drowned out riffles. The left bank is also being undercut and eroded in a number of places along the reach. +
E
Environmental improvement intervention in a reach Anzur River in the village of El Nacimiento, in the Municipality of Rute (Cordoba) +
This reach of the Anzur River at Aldea de Nacimiento (Rute municipality, Cordoba, Spain) had flooding and incision problems. The riparian vegetation was altered by the presence of exotic species (Arundo donax) or the absence of coverage by native species. Other problem related to the urbanization was the presence of debris and waste at the channel.
The project aimed to reduce the floods by increasing the width of the channel and its hydraulic capacity. Along with this intervention, there were other actions, based on bioengineering techniques or materials that allow their environmental integration, with the objective of improve the environmental condition of the reach and the landscape. +
B
This regulated tidal exchange (RTE) was created in 1988 as in situ compensation for advancing the defence line into the Nordstrand Bay in 1987 (land-claiming 3,350ha of mudflats, sandflats and saltmarshes in the process). The 853ha RTE scheme forms part of a compensation package undertaken in the newly created polder; the RTE is generally referred to as ‘the salt water biotope’(Salzwasserbiotop). Whilst the main habitat created is a saline lagoon, approximately 380ha of intertidal habitats are also included (166ha tidal flats, 214ha saltmarsh). Furthermore, there are some 95ha of transitional habitat at the back of the site. The remainder of the 3,350ha Koog (i.e. polder) was converted into a number of terrestrial/freshwater habitats for nature conservation purposes, including reedbeds, marshes and transitional grassland. The whole polder was declared a nature reserve in 1992; and is now highly designated, forming part of the following Wadden Sea sites: Ramsar, Special Protection Area, and Special Area of Conservation.
The RTE site is open to tidal influence through two culverts in the new sea dike, which are fitted with sluice gates. These are 3km apart, and have the following dimensions: 6mx4.30m at Holmer Siel and 6mx3.70m at Lüttmoorsiel (Siel = sluice). Material was borrowed from inside the site, up to a depth of 20m and used for seawall construction. Between the two sluices, a ring channel with a water depth of 2-3m was dug; the excavated material was used to create a sandy peninsula. After testing several sluice combinations for some years, the Holmer sluice was redesigned in 1994 so it could act as a year-round in and outlet sluice (like the other sluice). Both sluices are now kept open at all times (they essentially act as culverts), except during storm surges. A maximum tidal range of 0.4m is normally achieved. In winter, storm floods are simulated by damming up water over several tidal cycles. +
R
This river demonstration project was carried out between 1994 and 1996 in cooperation between many partners with co-financing provided by the financial instrument LIFE. The aim was to improve understanding of ecosystem diversity, the impact on biodiversity from human activities and the physical restoration of natural functions including the following key objectives: <br>
• To establish three international Demonstration Sites which apply new and state-of-the-art techniques to the restoration of natural habitats on a variety of damaged rivers and their floodplains (in both urban and rural catchments). <br>
• To demonstrate the value of these Projects for integrated catchment management in terms of: nature conservation, water quality, flood prevention and amenity by monitoring the physical, chemical and biological effects of restoration. <br>
• To involve, train and motivate those who influence or undertake river management work (e.g. water organisations, local authorities, landowners, NGOs, developers, politicians). <br>
• To disseminate information through a European network of contacts and by arranging visits to, and courses at, the demonstration sites. +