]> 2026-04-09T06:42:17+00:00 Case study:River Avon Habitat Enhancement, Fifield 500 en 20150318 Project Record WCSP Fifield 2013.pdf Project Summary Approved Introducing large woody debris Wild Trout Trust Wessex Chalkstreams Project Environment Agency local volunteers Great Britain Environment Agency Partnership contributions In kind contributions Yes No Yes false Avon Fifield2.jpg Undertaking in-channel works No Wild Trout Trust One volunteer was a young soldier getting back into physical work after a gruelling 3-year recovery from being seriously wounded in an explosion in Afghanistan. Despite being exhausted, he very much enjoyed the day highlighting the therapeutic value of hands-on conservation work. 51.252084959779,-1.7891836166382 Mike Wild Trout Trust Blackmore Introducing large woody debris,,, ,,Citizen participation in the restoration project,, Wednesday 30 April 2014 (update)<br> Following winter flooding and sustained high water levels, the work has stood up really well to the demanding weather. Still, there was some repair work and tidying up to do at the Fifield site. Over the winter some trees had blown down and were blocking paths and posing a potential risk of flooding and damage to the restoration work. The main problem was a large tree branch which had fallen across a footbridge and the bottom end of the reach. After consulting with landowners, the fishing club that manages the site and the Environment Agency, it was decided that the wood should be used to create further habitat at the lower end of the site, and at the same time remove the risk. Mike Blackmore 12836 Wessex Chalkstreams Project, Environment Agency, local volunteers 2013-11-01Z 2456597.5 Avon Fifield.jpg 2013-10-01Z 2456566.5 Complete <b>Background</b><br> As part of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 'Wessex Chalkstream Project' which promotes understanding and conservation on the Hampshire Avon, the Wild Trout Trust led a week of habitat enhancement work on the River Avon at Fifield near Netheravon. This section of the Avon was once managed by the famous river keeper and author Frank Sawyer. During his time as head keeper for the Services Dry Fly Fishing Association (SDFFA), Frank oversaw the restoration of the river from a polluted, over-silted one, no-longer capable of supporting trout, towards a productive flowing river with a clean gravel bed. Frank's 'Great Clean Up', although not a complete success, led the way for future generations to improve river habitat. <b>Restoration implemented</b><br> Volunteers with the support of the Wild Trout Trust, two Wessex Chalkstream Project officers and the local Environment Agency contact, helped to introduce an abundance of woody material into the river, kicking flow about to create a more pronounced thalweg and helping diversify the habitat. By the end of the week, 500 metres of river habitat had been enhanced for £1000 plus the cost of a few chestnut stakes (a bargain at 3 times the price!). River Avon Habitat Enhancement, Fifield river avon habitat enhancement, fifield No 1000 Hampshire Avon South West Hampshire Avon (Upper) hampshire avon (upper) Citizen participation in the restoration project 100 - 1000 km² 212 200 - 500 m Hampshire Avon (Upper) GB108043022350 Environmental flows and water resources Fisheries Habitat and biodiversity Hydromorphology 12.5 10 - 50 k€ GB108043022350 Hampshire Avon (Upper) Mike Blackmore 1 1 - 10 k€ Wild Trout Trust 2014-04-23T14:45:42Z 2456771.1150694 2016-07-15T10:13:38Z 2457584.9261343 River Avon Habitat Enhancement, Fifield 500 1 plainlist 5 [[Category:Case study]] [[Project title::!River Avon Habitat Enhancement, Fifield]] [[Subcatchment title::Hampshire Avon (Upper)]] River Avon Habitat Enhancement, Fifield# QUERYc94527da3375aaf3e56518ce7b1c187a