]> 2026-04-14T05:42:35+00:00 Case study:Highland Water at Warwickslade Lawn 500 en River Restoration Centre Case Study Other SSSI New Forest project - Longwater Lawn and Mallard Wood and Mead, New Forest Approved Planting Introduction of gravel Re-meandering Forestry Commission Natural England Environment Agency Alaska Environmental Consulting Great Britain Yes No Yes false 2009 10 14 (11).JPG 2009 10 14 (16).JPG 2009 10 14 (34).JPG S6300226.JPG Addition of woody debris to the river to significantly reduce flow velocities, October 2009 To avoid damage to the site in construction, a minature railway track was created to transport materials and machinery. October 2009 channel after restoration drainage channel being filled with hoggin and clay mix as flow is transferred to restored channel close by No Special Area of Conservation Ramsar Special Protection Area National Park 50.857811,-1.608755 Sarah Forestry Commission Oakley Planting, Introduction of gravel,,,Re-meandering, ,,, 1145 Natural England, Environment Agency, Alaska Environmental Consulting Re-meandered section of the restored river 2009-11-01Z 2455136.5 2009 10 14 (23).JPG 2009-06-01Z 2454983.5 Complete As part of a EU Life project there was a programme of habitat restoration in SSSIs, into which the Highland Water at Warwickslade fell. The project looked to return the river to it's historical course (determined through the study of historical maps), including re-meandering. A number of work measures were undertaken to reduce the speed of the flow, subsequently reducing bank erosion, and to improve the habitat quality. Highland Water is a small headwater sub-catchment (0.25m3) of the Lymington River. Prior to restoration the channel was up to 1.2m deep and 4m wide restricting the natural seasonal flooding of the surrounding forest. The previously wet woodland and mire habitat had dried out and the increased channel size presented a barrier to freely roaming animals across the forest due to channelization in the 1850’s. Construction was carried out using an innovative tramway system to import material to the site, removing the need to drive heavy machinery across the fragile forest environment, which helped to achieve rapid visual recovery once works were complete. A variety of morphological features and in stream habitats have re-established and floodplain connection has been restored through more regular bank overtopping, which has helped to re-wet the surrounding woodland habitats. These enhancements have been quantified by a recorded improvement in SSSI condition scores for the area. The work has been well received by the local communities with excellent media coverage. The success of the scheme has facilitated negotiations for future works at other locations across the New Forest. Highland Water at Warwickslade Lawn highland water at warwickslade lawn No 3000 New Forest South East Highland Water highland water UK - Site of Special Scientific Interest Highland Water highland water 10 - 100 km² 121 100 - 200 m Highland Water GB107042016720 Flood risk management Habitat and biodiversity 4 1 - 10 k€ Low Small Siliceous GB107042016720 Highland Water 2012-08-17T13:24:54Z 2456157.0589583 2017-06-01T12:21:15Z 2457906.0147569 Highland Water at Warwickslade Lawn 500 1 plainlist 5 [[Category:Case study]] [[Project title::!Highland Water at Warwickslade Lawn]] [[Subcatchment title::Highland Water]] Highland Water at Warwickslade Lawn# QUERYd9b9ecbaa8617c41903173b9e5f81b28