Property:Project summary
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This is a property of type Text.
H
Improve instream habitat diversity and fish access +
C
Improve the Corfe River WFD classification failure of poor for macrophytes and phytobenthos combined and moderate due to elevated phosphate levels, high flows and high shading. Establish a vision for naturally functioning river +
R
Improvement works on the River Meden. The work involved installing fencing, cattle drink and pasture pump, to prevent poaching of the river bank. Poaching of river banks leads to run off and erosion, damaging soils and polluting watercourses with an excess of sediment and nutrient. Protected over 250m of the river. Riverbanks will be allowed to recover and water quality improved. Vegetation cover is ideal Water Vole habitat and bird breeding sites. +
C
Improvements to bankside habitat via opening up areas of dense scrub and coppicing trees. +
M
Improving school grounds for wildlife and fencing at farm to prevent rural diffuse pollution +
F
In 1983, HM Prison Service (HMP) claimed 66ha of intertidal habitat to gain land for arable production by building a new seaward defence. During the 1990s, the Environment Agency identified this 1,750m stretch of seawall owned by HMP as at high risk of failure, and following a cost benefit analysis decided to strengthen the old, landward, bank in order to form the flood defence. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was very keen to take this opportunity to realign the defences and recreate intertidal habitats, and, following discussions with the Environment Agency, English Nature and HMP, acquired the land.
Prior to the realignment, in 2000, some 1,100m of the remnant landward sea wall were enforced, and a new 500m cross wall built. The material for these works was sourced on site (the borrow pit was later developed into a 15ha saline lagoon). Prior to breaching the sea wall, the vegetation on the 66ha site was cut, baled and removed, field drains were infilled (as far as fill material was available) and some 1,200m of artificial creek system were dug (two channels leading from each breach). Outside the site, some 50m of the external primary creek network were deepened. Finally, three 50m wide breaches were created in the outer sea wall (with channels initially 2m wide and 1m deep).
The site is owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Its Freiston Shore reserve incorporates the 66ha realignment site, a 15ha saline lagoon and 72ha of wet grassland. Furthermore, Freiston Shore already protects 683ha of saltmarsh and mudflats, which form part of the Wash Special Protection Area (SPA) (RSPB website, 2010). +
R
In 1991 the site and adjacent land were purchased by the BTO to create a wetland bird reserve. The Little Ouse had previously been straightened and flowed in a trapezoidal channel. In-stream habitat was poor, macrophytes were confined mainly to the shallow margins and the substrate was dominated by sand with some silt and gravel.
The Environment Agency were approached to assist with restoring flows to the original, meandering course which remained as a damp depression. By restoring flows to the old channel 900m of diverse river habitat with varied morphology and a connection to the floodplain was gained.
Problems have been experienced with the breaching of several banks at meanders and the development of permanently ponded areas (the original design was aimed at encouraging seasonal inundation to create suitable nesting habitats for waders such as lapwing). Several attempts have been made to repair these breaches with techniques such as blue clay banks and pre-seeded coir matting
Further remediation works are planned for September 2013 and will consist of the creation of 'living revetments'. The approximate cost of this additional work is £6,000. +
In 1997, 11 weirs have been removed.
In 2003-2009, side channels have been opened.
In 2010, a fishway has been opened.
In 2009-2012, spawning gravel has been introduced.
In 2010-2011, Harrowing has been applied. +
In 1999, before the measures were carried out, there were problems with siltation and overgrowth of macrophytes in the river channel, due to the greatly reduced water flow resulting from hydropower production and agricultural drainage. There were very poor conditions for fish and other aquatic organisms. Nearly 70% of the water area in Børselva was covered by plants. Important habitats for wetland birds were in danger of disappearing. Large areas of trout spawning and growing areas were destroyed.
Measures implemented in the agricultural channel ("Bruksåskanalen") included erosion control, establishment of sedimentation ponds with vegetation filters and revegetation along the channel. Three paved thresholds were established in Børselva, with the laying of spawning gravel. 1 km of the overgrown part of the river was opened with an excavator and fiber fabric was laid, with stone and gravel on top. Dredging and opening of the rest of the Børselva with a large excavator ("Langemann") was carried out. Different water discharges in Børselva (from the dam in Børsvatnet) were tested - with the main focus on “flushing floods” and winter water flow. +
V
In 2004 a reach of 1.3km of the small, channelized lowland brook, Voorste Nete, was diverted because of sand mining activities. The sinuosity of the newly created reach of the Voorste Nete, 1.9km in length, was based on old maps, aerial photography and field measurements. The new brook was hydrologically isolated with a bentonite mat preventing water loss due to a decline of the groundwater level. The sides of the bentonite were placed upright for 0.5m and the lining was filled with the original sand from digging out the new reach.
Originally the newly created streambed has a weak meandering channel pattern (sinuoscity 1.1), and was 1m wide at the bottom and 2m wide at the top. In August 2004, a summer storm caused severe erosion and had a noticeable impact on the profile. In the first three years, mechanical weed clearance was only conducted once in the upstream reach of the diversion in autumn 2005. In 2007, mechanical weed mowing was executed for the total stream. +
L
In 2006 Notranjska Regional Park acquired financial support from European programme LIFE – Nature for project LIFE 06. The purpose of this project was the establishment of appropriate conditions for protection and conservation of animal and plant species and their habitats on Lake Cerknica. Factors that threaten the biodiversity on Lake Cerknica are modified watercourses, abandoning of meadow mowing and deficient knowledge of nature and its conservation.
With the intention of maintaining biodiversity on Lake Cerknica efforts were oriented to following actions:
* Restoration of watercourses, that would contribute to higher water ground level and retaining of overall water level on Lake Cerknica
* Composition of a Management plan, which serves as groundwork for managing the project area and is orientated towards conservation of natural and cultural heritage of Lake Cerknica
* Mapping of habitat types with the intention of conserving the endangered ones
* Land managing including buying, late mowing and mulching on the permanently protected land.
* Popularization of the project and education of the youth on the importance of nature conservation.
The aim of the project was the restoration of former meanders and by doing so retaining the water longer in the dry period and increasing the groundwater level in wetland areas. It was expected that in this way the ecological conditions of the wetland areas, and thereby the living conditions for flora and fauna, improve.
Inženiring za vode d.o.o. produced the project documentation, based on a review of the situation on the terrain and examining the location of riverbeds as they were before the regulating operations began. More than 12 km of watercourses in the Cerknica area are included in this study.
Re-instatement of the old course and creation of backwater and water retention areas to encourage groundwater level rise and slower runoff of low waters.
Community Involvement - education of the youth on the importance of nature conservation. <br>
RESTORATION OF THE GORIŠKI BREŽIČEK STREAM:
By restoring former meanders of the Goriški Brežiček stream it was intend to raise the groundwater level in the area of the Dujce fen which ranks among the qualifying habitats for determining the Natura 2000 areas, and thus restore appropriate conditions for sustaining this bog. The company TGM Bizjak, Dušan Bizjak s.p. completed the restoration works on approximately 500 m long section of upper stream and on 200 m in its lower part at the confluence with the Lipsenjščica stream.
Expected results of this restoration:
*slower runoff of low waters from the area of the intermittent lake,
* ground water level rise,
* retention of water in depressions and stream branches, consequently higher constant ground water level height and change in the soil – water rate.
Restoring Goriški Brežiček stream was planned for the entire section, from the mill at the source, to its mouth in Lipsenjščica River, but only a part has been realized. The entire length of the stream has been straightened in the past, but given the terrain and vegetation, the original stream channel is still clearly visible. Restoring the original layout consisted of its deepening. Average width of the planned channel section was from 3.0 to 6.0 m. Excavation has been exercised in the form of U, with banks sloping 1:2, but it was planned that the transition slope of stream bank and terrain on majority of the length is carried out in a vertical slope and then let the water itself create a stable bank. It was assumed that the stability would be provided primarily by turf and partly by the riparian vegetation root system.
Deepening of the stream bed at the juncture with the primary bottom at the upstream side has been protected by the small wooden weir (a small weir with the top corners at the bed level or just above it, which is not noticeable under normal hydrological conditions). Where possible, multiple channels with lower spills/overflows between the excavated meanders were predicted. Spills/overflows has been fortified with small wooden weirs (wooden piles, tree trunks) to prevent uncontrolled deepening of the spills/overflows. Spills/overflows were carried out above medium water level and they were covered with turf. At the appropriate locations at the contact of the current and planned section have also been carried out coves or bays, which are designed by keeping part of the current channel or in the area of inactive tributaries.
RESTORATION OF THE TRESENEC STREAM:
The restoration of the former riverbed of Tresenec stream from its source in the direction of Levišča sinkholes was undertook in order to raise the level of groundwater and thus enable the sustenance of characteristic water and river-bank plant communities. The Tresenec stream is also of great importance to the animal world since it is the only watercourse in the Lake Cerknica area that never runs dry and as such offers refuge for the water animals in the times of drought. On its banks you can still find elusive Otter’s (Lutra lutra) footprints. GRADBINKO d.o.o. enterprise completed the restoration on 650 m long section of the Tresenec stream.
By increasing length of stream, restoring former branches and meanders, the water surface of the stream increased, which will have a positive effect on the conservation of aquatic, riparian and wetland habitats.
T
In 2007 the wetlands of the Persin Island were re-linked to the Danube River under the Project for Wetlands Restoration and Pollution Reduction as part of the initiative “Lower Danube Green Corridor”. The project was carried out by the Ministry of the Environment and Water in Bulgaria and the main donor was the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The restored wetland is a man controlled floodplain of about 2200 ha. The depth of flooding varies up to 2.5 m. At this water level, four relatively large marshes shape up in the eastern part of the island – Murtvo Blato, Peschina, Staroto Blato and Dyulova Bara, as well as several smaller ones.
The most important and innovative activity of the project is the physical restoration of the wetlands in the two protected areas. In the course of the implementation of this component activities the project has restored 4 035 ha of former wetlands on two specific sites – Belene Island (2 280 ha) within the Persina Nature Park and Kalimok/Brushlen (1 755 ha) within the Kalimok/Brushlen Protected Site – in order to demonstrate the use of riparian wetlands as nutrient traps. +
L
In 2008 the Foundation secured funding from the SITA Trust's Enriching Nature Programme for a £194,000 lower Lugg and Arrow project. The trust was set up to manage sums from SITA's landfill tax and has used this to support actions under Entrust's DA (Biodiversity) measure.
With support from the Lugg & Arrow Fisheries Association (LAFA) and from the Wye Salmon Fisheries Owners Association (WSFOA), LARA will improve the biodiversity in the Lugg and Arrow within 10 miles of Leominster's licensed land fill site. In 2007 salmon, trout and the habitat "rivers and streams" were added to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). These, plus brook and river lamprey, bullhead, otter, a wide range of invertebrates (inc. crayfish), grey wagtail, kingfisher, dipper and sand martin will benefit from the project.
The project has 3 main areas of activity:
• Riverline habitat restoration
• Fish passage
• Improving water quality
The project began with baseline surveys including a macrophyte (plants that live in or near water) survey.
Habitat Restoration
The project will focus on fencing out the most damaged of the tributaries in the area. These include: Pinsley; Tippets; Broad; Aston; Curl and Wellington brooks; and the river Arrow.
In addition to this, a sequential 3-year work plan has been developed for 1.2km of the main stem of the Lugg at Mortimer's cross. The first stage of this involved re-establishment of ranunculus and increasing the cover on the banks. 580m was completed in September 2009. Also, a new site of 2.4km of main stem on the Arrow at Monkland was coppiced and the willow laid into the banks. +
K
In 2008, EA Wales and Atkins completed a project to install a fish pass at Osbaston, downstream of Kentchurch Weir - to improve fish passage upstream. However, the 2 metre high Kentchurch Weir posed as a significant and impassable barrier to fish passage further upstream. A £100,000, 18 month-long project was undertaken, beginning in 2008, to remove this structure and open up the upper reaches of the Monnow. +
S
In 2009 the Strategic Framework for the Restoration of the River Avon (SFfRRA) was developed in partnership with Natural England, Wessex Water, the Wiltshire Fisheries Association and the Wessex Chalk Streams Project. The SFfRRA is the guide for the restoration of the Hampshire Avon and has identified options for restoration.
The Strategic Restoration of the River Avon (SRRA) was put in place by the SFfRRA, with the ultimate goal of moving towards a more naturally-functioning system that is able to adjust and respond to changes without constant management.
The Strategic Framework for Restoration of the River Avon (SFfRRA) aims to provide a plan for the physical restoration of the whole river throughout the designated length of the River Avon System and River Till SSSIs. SFfRRA is one of a number of projects and strategies that seek to address specific issues within the river and its catchment. This review and survey of the
geomorphological pressures seeks to identify the nature and scale of the physical changes and the impacts that they potentially have on ecological condition. +
H
In 2012, Defra introduced the catchment based approach (CaBA) - a community-led approach that engages people and groups from across society to help improve our water environments. Defra drives CaBA through a national network of catchment partnerships. These partnerships are expected to identify local priorities and tackle cross-cutting issues; ensure that the work of partners is coordinated; and deliver improvements across their catchments.
Established in 2014, the Hull and East Riding Catchment Partnership is hosted by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust with support from the East Yorkshire Rivers Trust as Joint Host. They are joined on the partnership by the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board, East and North Yorkshire Waterways Partnership, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Environment Agency, Hull City Council, Natural England, Ouse and Humber Drainage Board, South Holderness Internal Drainage Board and Yorkshire Water.
Unlike most other catchments, the Hull and East Riding catchment area comprises a series of distinct and often discrete watercourses / water bodies, known locally as: Barmston Sea Cut; Gypsey Race; Hornsea Mere; Market Weighton Canal and River Foulness; River Hull; and the South Holderness Drains (Burstwick, Keyingham, Ottringham, Thorngumbald and Winestead).
Most of these water bodies are separate from the main inland waterway network. Together, though, they are crucial to the drainage of the Yorkshire Wolds and the East Riding and to the unique landscape character of the region.
In March 2017, the Hull and East Riding Catchment Partnership published its first catchment plan, which explains how partners are using the CaBA to make a difference in the water environment, in local communities and to the local economy – now and in the long term. The document also demonstrates the partnership's strong track record of collaborative working and includes case studies which illustrate the partnership's capacity for effective catchment management.
R
In 2012, funding became available from DEFRA’s Catchment Restoration Fund, via the Environment Agency, for projects that could contribute to improving the water quality or biodiversity of rivers that were failing to meet EU Water Framework Directive standards for ‘Good’ ecological potential. The River Alt Restoration Project is a partnership between the Cass Foundation and the Community Forest Trust with support from the Environment Agency, Liverpool City Council and the local community in Stonebridge, Liverpool. The funding provided the opportunity to transform brownfield land that was blighting the area and attracting fly-tipping, by ‘daylighting’ the river and creating an attractive, publically accessible greenspace and setting for regeneration at Stonebridge Cross, in Croxteth.
The River Alt flows through an area of North Liverpool that experiences some of the most severe socio-economic problems in the UK and is one of Liverpool City Council’s highest priorities for regeneration. The River Alt Restoration Project supports several Liverpool and Environment Agency strategic priorities and plans including the River Basin Management Plan, the City’s Green Infrastructure Strategy and Flood Risk Management Plan and addresses issues including:
• Poor river morphology
• High flood risk within built-up areas and agricultural land
• Risk of blockage and failure of culverted sections due to fly-tipping
• Presence of invasive species including Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam
• Culverted river section creating a poor environment for biodiversity (e.g. status of ‘Bad’ for invertebrates)
• Isolated green spaces and poor habitat connectivity
• Neglected brownfield land blighting a deprived area of the city
• The need for meaningful engagement with the community to encourage a sense of ownership, support ultimately the long term success of the project
The River Alt flows through Merseyside from Huyton to Hightown, passing through West Derby, Croxteth and Maghull. Much of the 28km course has been affected by man-made intervention including canalisation and culverting. Over 8km of its length has been buried underground in concrete culverts including the 350m section that flowed through Stonebridge Cross in Croxteth. The River Alt Restoration Project has opened up the river to create a new public park alongside Stonebridge Lane, on a site that had been vacant and derelict for some time following demolition.
The project has diverted a section of heavily engineered river from culvert into a new 900m meandering, naturalistic, open river channel with 1740m of newly vegetated river banks including flood plain ledges, an extensive riparian zone plus adjacent wildflower areas, semi natural grassland, willow scrub and wooded habitat. This section of river corridor has been transformed from brownfield land to 8.2ha of new public greenspace for the community to enjoy and experience biodiversity come alive on their doorstep.
Physical works and channel excavation – A precise channel was excavated with a series of floodplain benches or ledges. The realignment extends the river by about 600m therefore the channel is designed to minimise siltation at low water while allowing the broader river channel to flood during peak flows. This means the channel will develop a mix of riparian (water’s edge) habitats. A gravel bed will help aerate the water and create micro habitat. There are sharp bends at the upstream entry and downstream exit points, constructed from reinforced earth and geotextile membranes to create a green wall. The design increases flood storage capacity within the river corridor, thereby reducing flood risk elsewhere in the catchment.
Habitat creation – A mosaic of habitats has been created by planting. The gravel bed, open channel and selective tree and scrub planting will improve conditions for river invertebrates by improving aeration and light penetration. The trees and semi-natural grassland of the steep eastern bank will eventually provide cover for nesting birds, small mammals and potential habitat for water voles and kingfisher known to be present locally along the river. 3ha of native grassland, including wildflower meadow, has been sown to enhance the species diversity above the western bank. Standard trees will create a more formal feature where the public have access.
Managing invasive weed species – A small area of Japanese Knotweed was eradicated prior to the channel excavation. Himalayan Balsam located upstream is monitored and managed by cutting before flowering in the late spring.
Providing access – A 4m-wide path network (DDA-compliant) runs the length of the site, close to the riverside within the upper floodplain. The path allows access for maintenance of the watercourse, including vegetation management, the removal of rubbish and other obstructions, thereby maintaining habitat quality and reducing the risk of flooding in the wider catchment. The river bank is steeper on the eastern side and public access is limited within this ecological zone.
Community activity – Community involvement has been integral to the project
S
In 2012, the Environment Agency commissioned a report into the feasibility and potential benefits of implementing Natural Flood Management (also called Rural Sustainable Drainage) (RSuDS) throughout the catchment of the Stroud Frome and associated tributaries.
Acting on the findings of the study, the Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) agreed to fund a project officer to implement and promote rural sustainable drainage and natural flood management in the whole catchment, which covers approx. 235km2. A formal partnership between Gloucestershire County Council, The Environment Agency, the RFCC and Stroud District Council was established to implement the work, and under a collaborative agreement, Stroud District Council agreed to employ the project officer for three years.
The project is working with a large number of private and third sector land owners to implement a wide variety of techniques to slow flood flows, reduce erosion of soils, and restore in-stream and flood plain natural processes. We are creating a large number of leaky woody debris structures located in a variety of settings to catalyse in-stream habitat restoration, slow down the transport of silt and sediment, raise bed levels in deeply incised channels, create diverse habitats, attenuate higher flows and force flows out of channel.
In addition, we are working with woodland and agricultural land owners to put in place measures to reduce soil erosion, store overland flows and increase infiltration.
We are working in small streams, spring flows and drainage gulleys to intervene at the very top of the catchment, with a view to working our way downstream and allowing downstream areas a better chance to restore themselves. We predominantly work on Ordinary Water Courses where impacts such as dredging, channelisation and diffuse pollution are acute. As work progresses, we are finding and recording previously un-recorded habitat features of international importance, including Alkaline tufa petrifying spring habitats in both woodland and grassland context.
To implement the approach and achieve real reductions in flood risk and improvements to habitat we are working in full partnership with communities, flood actions groups, partners, land managers and farmers. We involve members of Flood Action Groups in determining priorities for future work.
N
In 2012, the city of St Asaph – located on a downstream reach of the Afon Elwy (Map 1) – suffered severe flooding which resulted in a fatality. Natural Resources Wales began an investigation into how traditional hard engineered approaches, such as those proposed for the St Asaph flood alleviation scheme, could be supported by Working with Natural Processes (WWNP) measures. The investigation also looked at how these measures could have multiple ecosystem benefits.
Llanfair Talhaiarn is a small village in the Elwy catchment, located at the confluence of Nant Barrog with the main river Elwy. The Nant Barrog is conveyed beneath the main street to the Elwy through the Water Street culvert. In periods of high rainfall the culvert is overwhelmed, resulting in flooding of properties in the village. Natural Resources Wales is reviewing the refurbishment of the culvert.
WWNP measures recommended for the Barrog in the Elwy Natural Flood Risk Management and Ecosystem Services Study (2015) were further reviewed at the subcatchment scale. WWNP measures for the Nant Barrog catchment were recommended in the Llanfair Talhaiarn Natural Flood Management Study (2015). A revision of the shortlisted options was further reviewed as part of the Llanfair Talhaiarn project appraisal report (2016) and the cost benefits of the different options were considered. The resulting recommended WWNP measures are listed in Table 1..
Coed Cymru, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, the Woodland Trust and other organisations, will submit a bid in 2017 to the Welsh Government Rural Development Plan Sustainable Management Scheme for funding to implement the measures recommended in the Llanfair Talhaiarn report.
The Water Street culvert has an inlet capacity of 4.2m3s-1. Flooding will occur at a return period of a 1 in 50 year event with a peak flow of 4.8m3s-1. Modelling of 4 WWNP packages showed that, when considered separately, sufficient reductions would occur during the 1 in 50 year event for flow to remain within the channel at the culvert.
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In 2014 Trent Rivers Trust have completed a four year program of invasive species control along the Gilwiskaw Brook and River Mease. We have been working with farmers and community members to control the invasive species Himalayan Balsam from the banks of the River Mease. This has resulted in a greatly reduced abundance of Himalayan Balsam providing an opportunity for the native river vegetation to recover from this dominating plant. To read the latest newsletter please click on the link to the right of the page on the Project web site url link provided above.
We are continuing to raise awareness of the River Mease through attending country fairs and shows in the catchment. This has provided the opportunity to chat to residents about their special river, places to access it and how to care for its future.
The invasive species Himalayan Balsam has been widespread among the banks of the river in recent years. It out competes the native flora of the bank side resulting in poor species diversity and increased erosion risk. It can spread very quickly, particularly along rivers and watercourses. +