Case study:Ironbridge Farm: Difference between revisions
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|Project picture=Wet Woodland at Ironbridge Farm.JPG | |Project picture=Wet Woodland at Ironbridge Farm.JPG | ||
|Picture description=The wet woodland will be enhanced | |Picture description=The wet woodland at Ironbridge which will be enhanced | ||
|Project summary=The river restoration at Ironbridge Farm builds on the work undertaken at Little Waltham meadows on the River Chelmer and the nearby Local Nature reserve at Bocking Blackwater. | |||
As with all of these works the aim of the project is to improve the water-body under the Water Framework Directive. Currently the River Pant is failing under Water Framework Directive for a number of reasons including diffuse pollution, fish passage, point source and physical modification. It should be noted that this area does suffer from low flows during the summer months, especially if the Abberton scheme which transfers water from the Ouse to Abberton is closed. | |||
There are some local issues with the river in this area, that are largely typical of those found elsewhere in Essex. Namely the disconnection of the river from the surrounding floodplain, this has led to a reduction in quality and type of Riparian habitat, in this case but not restricted further afield, wet woodland which is drying out and fen meadows which are decreasing in number and quality. Interestingly and of some note, the site at Ironbridge Farm and the surrounds are a Local Wildlife Site (LoWS) this means they have been recognised as an outstanding site in the context of Essex. Largely the site is notified for its mosaic of habitat but a key element of this is the presence of wet woodland and Fen meadow. So, besides contributing to raising the WFD status of the site, it is also contributing to the rehabilitation of the LoWS in the shape of an enhanced wet woodland and and enhanced Fen meadow. | |||
In order to achieve this, a plan has been designed which will increase the seasonal inundation and flooding of the woodland and fen meadow. A simple pipe will be installed which has been set to a level which will not only protect low flows but achieve the desired ecological effects. The level of the pipe is crucial has it must be set to the correct level. This was figured out via a combination of on site measurements and Mannings Equation. | |||
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Revision as of 15:34, 1 May 2015
This case study is pending approval by a RiverWiki administrator.
Project overview
| Status | In progress |
|---|---|
| Project web site | http://www.essexrivershub.co.uk |
| Themes | Habitat and biodiversity, Water quality |
| Country | England |
| Main contact forename | Kieren |
| Main contact surname | Alexander |
| Main contact user ID | User:KierenAlexander |
| Contact organisation | Essex Wildlife Trust |
| Contact organisation web site | http://www.essexwt.org.uk |
| Partner organisations | |
| Parent multi-site project | |
| This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
The river restoration at Ironbridge Farm builds on the work undertaken at Little Waltham meadows on the River Chelmer and the nearby Local Nature reserve at Bocking Blackwater.
As with all of these works the aim of the project is to improve the water-body under the Water Framework Directive. Currently the River Pant is failing under Water Framework Directive for a number of reasons including diffuse pollution, fish passage, point source and physical modification. It should be noted that this area does suffer from low flows during the summer months, especially if the Abberton scheme which transfers water from the Ouse to Abberton is closed.
There are some local issues with the river in this area, that are largely typical of those found elsewhere in Essex. Namely the disconnection of the river from the surrounding floodplain, this has led to a reduction in quality and type of Riparian habitat, in this case but not restricted further afield, wet woodland which is drying out and fen meadows which are decreasing in number and quality. Interestingly and of some note, the site at Ironbridge Farm and the surrounds are a Local Wildlife Site (LoWS) this means they have been recognised as an outstanding site in the context of Essex. Largely the site is notified for its mosaic of habitat but a key element of this is the presence of wet woodland and Fen meadow. So, besides contributing to raising the WFD status of the site, it is also contributing to the rehabilitation of the LoWS in the shape of an enhanced wet woodland and and enhanced Fen meadow.
In order to achieve this, a plan has been designed which will increase the seasonal inundation and flooding of the woodland and fen meadow. A simple pipe will be installed which has been set to a level which will not only protect low flows but achieve the desired ecological effects. The level of the pipe is crucial has it must be set to the correct level. This was figured out via a combination of on site measurements and Mannings Equation.
Monitoring surveys and results
Lessons learnt
Image gallery
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Catchment and subcatchmentSelect a catchment/subcatchment
Catchment
Subcatchment
Other case studies in this subcatchment: Bocking Blackwater River Restoration
Site
Project background
Cost for project phases
Reasons for river restoration
Measures
MonitoringHydromorphological quality elements
Biological quality elements
Physico-chemical quality elements
Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic
Monitoring documents
Additional documents and videos
Additional links and references
Supplementary InformationEdit Supplementary Information
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