]> 2026-04-25T03:58:14+00:00 Case study:Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration 500 en Case study Belton Floodplain Reconnection - Blue Green.pdf Belton Case Study Initial Phases.pdf Final Phase Case Study Initial Phase Case Study. Approved Channel narrowing Bank lowering Gravell added Tree Hinging Environment Agency South Kesteven District Council National Trust Great Britain Leader+ European Structural Fund EA South Kesteven District Council National Trust Yes No Yes false Belton River Channel pre works.jpg Belton channel post works.jpg Woody material added to channel to improve floodplain connection.jpg Belton 1.jpg Channel before any of the works. Channel post works. Woody material added to channel to improve floodplain connectivity. Wet floodplain winter 23/24 No When planning a large-scale project of this nature, the first consideration should be what is the lowest cost and least disruptive way of achieving the objectives. Previous habitat works have focussed on lowering the floodplain to meet the water surface. This is often costly with excess spoil to move and spread and has a high initial impact on site both ecologically and aesthetically. It can also be very effective to work up projects in several phases over several years to allow interventions to be in and establish e.g channel narrowing followed by gravel introduction. 52.936532805575,-0.62586031408317 David Environment Agency Hutchinson Channel narrowing, Bank lowering, Gravell added, Tree Hinging,,Floodplain lowering, scrape added, floodplain roughening, Beaver dam analogue., ,,, The wetting frequency of the floodplain has significantly increased since the final phase of work. Anecdotal evidence for the fishing clubs supports increase Brown Trout numbers. 27084 South Kesteven District Council, National Trust Belton wet floodplain winter 23/24. Belton floodplain inundating Winter 2023.jpg 2017-01-09Z 2457762.5 Complete This project builds upon two previously successful restoration projects in partnership between the EA and National Trust (landowner) that involved channel narrowing and adding gravel riffles. Its aims were to further increase floodplain connectivity and complexity, create wetlands and to restore natural river processes. To help the river come out of bank and onto its floodplain more frequently woody material jams were created using a combination of willow and alder along with discrete areas of floodplain lowering. The floodplain complexity was improved by adding fallen wood across it along with tree planting to ensure longer term wood supply for the river. Floodplain willows were hinged both into the river and on the floodplain. Shallow scrapes were dug to create areas of standing water and imitation Beaver Dam were installed to encourage areas of deeper wetland. Frequently wetted, lowland floodplain is a very important but rare habitat type that delivers many ecosystem services benefits. Its restoration usually involves the movement of lots of spoil at high cost. This work is innovative in that it involves the use of lower cost, less intensive and more natural methods. Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration belton floodplain reconnection and river restoration No 500 Witham Anglian Floodplain lowering scrape added floodplain roughening Beaver dam analogue. Upper Witham upper witham Belton belton 10 - 100 km² 46 Less than 100 m Upper Witham GB105030056760 Flood risk management Habitat and biodiversity Social benefits 93 50 - 100 k€ GB105030056780 Witham - confluence of Cringle Brook to confluence Brant 2024-02-08T16:26:44Z 2460349.1852315 2024-02-26T12:57:34Z 2460367.0399769 Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration 500 1 plainlist 5 [[Category:Case study]] [[Project title::!Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration]] [[Subcatchment title::Upper Witham]] Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration# QUERYf9c98597eddef156f03fab0708c3d8c8