]> 2026-04-20T02:30:34+00:00 Case study:River Somer channel enhancement, Midsomer Norton 500 en Approved Weir removal Creation of berms Bed raising Planting of native species Removal of sediment Yes Yes No Improvement No Fish,Yes,Yes,No,No,No,Improvement Invertebrates,Yes,Yes,No,No,No,Improvement Fish Invertebrates No Channel naturalisation Meandering channel Woodland, Water and Gardens Great Britain fundraising by the River Somer Management Team No No Yes false River Somer Survey Pictures 079 (800x600).jpg River somer one year after.jpg Community.jpg During.jpg Constructing berms.jpg channel prior to restoration (woodland water and gardens) channel one year after completion of works (woodland water and gardens) local community group helping to complete the planting phase (woodland water and gardens) channel during construction (woodland water and gardens) laying out berm design (woodland water and gardens) No 51.285738919446,-2.4821336567402 Luke Woodland, Water and Gardens Kozak management of litter management of undesirable plant species Weir removal, Creation of berms, Bed raising, Planting of native species, Removal of sediment,,,Channel naturalisation, Meandering channel, ,management of litter, management of undesirable plant species,creation of River Somer Management Team, fundraising,Participation in maintenance, Participation in works, Yes Yes No Improvement Yes general assessment of habitat quality and diversity (repeat photography),Yes,Yes,Yes,No,No,Improvement No general assessment of habitat quality and diversity (repeat photography) 4682 River Somer on the high street post-restoration (Woodland water and gardens) 2011-05-31Z 2455712.5 After works 5.jpg 2011 2455562.5 Complete The reach of the River Somer flowing through Midsomer Morton had been a focus of concern for many years. A complete lack of vegetation, weir impoundment and large amounts of silt accumulation were severely effecting habitat and amenity potential of the channel. This was in stark contrast to the natural brook up and downstream of the town. Local residents formed the River Somer Management Team (RSMT), with the aim of improving the channel based around the following project objectives: * Removal of three weirs * Build new channel based on the geomorphology of the “natural” stretches of the River Somer * To enhance the aesthetic value of the reach, including the development of vegetated margins, in channel flow regime and opportunities to engage with the public * Restore habitats and enhance ecological value * “bring trout to the town” * Use localised materials * Use construction techniques which are flood resistant * Community engagement for construction, long term maintenance and educational opportunities The project was split into four stages: # Weir removal # Berm construction # Bed raising and fine adjustment # Planting aquatic margins The RSMT commissioned Woodland, Water and Gardens (Luke Kozak) as project consultants, designers and construction managers. BANES were commissioned as the overall project managers. Construction started in May 2011 taking three weeks to complete. The planting phase was completed by volunteer Midsomer Norton residents. The berms were constructed from coarse interlocking local limestone which did not exceed 30cm high. This allowed flow to be released over the berms, increasing channel capacity when needed (2-stage channel design). Flow events shortly after construction demonstrated the effectiveness of this design. In June 2012 the first formal assessment took place post-project completion. This encompassed fish, invertebrate and vegetation assessment. The report concluded that: berms were intact and in good condition despite several high flow events, plant communities had matured well providing a diverse habitat, maintenance carried out by volunteers has helped to keep the channel litter free. Diversity of aquatic organisms has increased, and although some small silt deposits have form in low energy areas the channel in generally self-cleansing. The project has been given a civic “Pride of Place” award for environmental enhancement, and the establishment of the RSMT will ensure the success of the project into the future. The River Restoration Centre would like to thank Luke Kozak (Woodland, Water and Gardens) as well as Dominic Longley for providing the information and photographs for this case study. River Somer channel enhancement, Midsomer Norton river somer channel enhancement, midsomer norton No 167 Bristol Avon and North Somerset Streams Severn Wellow Bk - source to conf Snails Bk wellow bk - source to conf snails bk River Somer at Midsomer Norton river somer at midsomer norton creation of River Somer Management Team fundraising wild brown trout 10 - 100 km² 220 200 - 500 m Wellow Bk - source to conf Snails Bk GB109053022250 A public consultation meeting was held pre restoration in Midsomer Norton, roughly late 2010 – no documentation is available. A project assessment report undertaken by Woodland, Water & Gardens (Luke Kozak) identified stakeholder engagement as a key part of the future of the project. Recommendations for this included: -An increased presence of ornamental plants to please residents who dislike the "wild" look of channel vegetation -Interpretation boards to identify in-channel plants and animals -Sculptural representation of "creatures of the River Somer" constructed from local stone, wood or wrought iron -Formal ecological tours of the channel, specifically for school children -Regularly updated bulletin board including section to log "recent sightings" Fisheries Habitat and biodiversity Social benefits 10 - 50 k€ GB109053022250 Wellow Bk - source to conf Snails Bk Participation in maintenance Participation in works 2011-05-23Z 2455704.5 2011-05-02Z 2455683.5 2012-12-10T15:17:45Z 2456272.1373264 2019-01-02T16:43:06Z 2458486.1965972 River Somer channel enhancement, Midsomer Norton 500 1 plainlist 5 [[Category:Case study]] [[Project title::!River Somer channel enhancement, Midsomer Norton]] [[Subcatchment title::Wellow Bk - source to conf Snails Bk]] River Somer channel enhancement, Midsomer Norton# QUERY2ad2bb90d3dc3c84d44d9a9c6c439fed