Case study:Rottal Burn

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Location: 56° 48' 51.82" N, 3° 1' 46.29" W

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Project overview

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Status	Complete
Project web site
Themes	Fisheries, Habitat and biodiversity
Country	Scotland
Main contact forename	Nick
Main contact surname	Elbourne
Main contact user ID
Contact organisation	Esk Rivers and Fisheries Trust
Contact organisation web site	http://www.erft.org.uk/
Partner organisations
Parent multi-site project
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects	No

Restoration of the historic meandering channel

Project summary

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The reach of the Rottal burn between Rottal Lodge and its confluence with the South Esk has historically been realigned and straightened since the 1830’s. In 2003, just prior to the Water Framework Directive coming into force, the stretch was dredged out destroying the existing habitat. The works carried out in 2012 aimed to restore natural river processes and in stream and riparian habitat, specifically for Atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl mussel alongside other fish species. It is relevant to note that the freshwater pearl mussel is dependent on juvenile salmon populations for the completion of its life cycle.

Objectives of the project included: • Restoration of the canalised water course as far as possible to its natural course (to be extended from 650m to 1,100m) • Reconnection of the Rottal Burn with its flood plain • Creation of a diverse riparian and aquatic habitat including the incorporation of the existing wetland habitat into the final restoration design • Reduction in the unnaturally high sediment loading during high flow events which is then deposited in the lower reaches • A return to a more natural flow regime • Attenuation of flood peaks • Visual enhancement of the area • Restoration of sustainable, functional populations of multi-sea-winter salmon and trout and of freshwater pearl mussels • The possibility of transferring freshwater pearl mussels into the burn will be investigated • Development a demonstration site available for future research • Provision of restoration experience which would be transferable to other similar situations within the catchment

Construction works were designed to create the restored channel without any import or export of materials, by using existing gravel embankments to provide any material needed. Large woody debris (trees with rootballs) which were sourced from the local estate, were used to reinforce possible areas of adjustment. A two-phase construction programme was used; Firstly the new channel was constructed and vegetation growth allowed to take hold. Following this flow was diverted into the new channel. Challenges at the site included the remote location, adverse weather conditions and the presence of overhead services. A number of sediment bar features have already formed, significantly improving the habitat, which is confirmed by the presence of salmon spawning in the new channel.

The primary funder for the project was the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). If you are interested in applying for funding to deliver other projects in Scotland, visit SEPA's Water Environment Fund webpage (http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/water_environment_fund.aspx).

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Image gallery

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Prior to restoration - channel had been straightened

After restoration

Taken pre-restoration - location of the newly created channel

pre-restoration

immediately post-restoration

post-restoration

Catchment and subcatchment Select a catchment/subcatchment Edit the catchment and subcatchment details (affects all case studies in this subcatchment) Catchment River basin district Sout Esk River basin South Esk Subcatchment River name South Esk Area category 100 - 1000 km² Area (km2) 564 km²56,400 ha <br /> Maximum altitude category 200 - 500 m Maximum altitude (m) Dominant geology Siliceous Ecoregion Great Britain Dominant land cover Grassland, Woodland Waterbody ID Other case studies in this subcatchment: South Esk restoration Site Edit site Name Rottal Burn WFD water body codes WFD (national) typology WFD water body name Pre-project morphology Straightened, dredged (to remove gravels) Reference morphology Actively meandering (historic channel identified) Desired post project morphology Heavily modified water body No National/international site designation EU - Special Area of Conservation Local/regional site designations Protected species present Yes Invasive species present No Species of interest Atlantic salmon, The freshwater pearl mussel Dominant hydrology Dominant substrate Gravel River corridor land use Rough unimproved grassland/pasture Average bankfull channel width category Average bankfull channel width (m) Average bankfull channel depth category Average bankfull channel depth (m) Mean discharge category Mean annual discharge (m3/s) Average channel gradient category Average channel gradient Average unit stream power (W/m2) Project background Edit project background Reach length directly affected (m) 11001,100 m <br />1.1 km <br />110,000 cm <br /> Project started 2012 Works started 2012/04/01 Works completed 2012/08/01 Project completed Total cost category 100 - 500 k€ Total cost (k€) Benefit to cost ratio Funding sources SEPA Restoration fund Cost for project phases Phase cost category cost exact (k€) Lead organisation Contact forename Contact surname Investigation and design Stakeholder engagement and communication Works and works supervision Post-project management and maintenance Monitoring Reasons for river restoration Edit reasons for restoration Mitigation of a pressure Historic straighteneing Hydromorphology Quantity & dynamics of flow, Channel pattern/planform Biology Fish Physico-chemical Other reasons for the project Improvement of atlantic salmon and freshwater pearl muscle habitat Measures Edit Measures Structural measures Bank/bed modifications Adding sinuosity, Bank re-grading, Decrease sedimentation, expansion of river bed on some parts of the river Floodplain / River corridor Floodplain reconnection, removal of embankments Planform / Channel pattern Creation of sinuosity Other Non-structural measures Management interventions Social measures (incl. engagement) Other Monitoring Hydromorphological quality elements Edit Hydromorphological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Channel pattern/planform No Yes No No No Biological quality elements Edit biological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Fish No Yes No No No Physico-chemical quality elements Edit Physico-chemical quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic Edit Other responses Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Monitoring documents Upload monitoring documents Additional documents and videos Upload additional documents Additional links and references Edit links and references Link Description Supplementary Information Edit Supplementary Information