Property:Project summary
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This is a property of type Text.
R
This project concerned the restoration of a stretch of Rio Tepice in the urban area of Chieri (TO) through this kind of actions:
* restoration (cutting, new plantations with autochthonous species, bioengineering works) of the riparian vegetation and of the river banks;
* revegetation of an area of 1.08 hectares;
Moreover new footpaths adjacent to the watercourse were created. +
P
This project furthers the development of the River Pant and builds on the work undertaken at Millfield, Bocking and Ironbridge farm. The aim of all three projects is to target an improvement in the River Pant under the Water Framework Directive.
Currently the river is failing under the Water Framework directive. There are a number of overriding issues in this waterbody most notably a heavily modified water body that has become disconnected from the floodplain, phosphate and diffuse pollution input, point source and fish passage.
Whilst it is impossible that this project will single handedly turn around this assessment, it will along with the other projects begin to make a difference to this waterbody and start to improve it ecologically and with multi benefits such as flood alleviation seeing improvements.
This is a fairly simple intervention and is focused around enhancing existing geomorphological processes such as riffle creation, and sediment deposition. Both are of major benefits to invertebrates, spawning fish and fish fry, which are arguably the key components in any river's ecosystem.
We aim to improve the river by opening up an old meander bend. Historically the river would have flowed around this bend but at some point in the past this has been straightened. This has left a relict channel which is partially open at one end. This floods but only infrequently, we aim to connect at one end to allow increased wetting up. This will have a series of effects, it will promote aquatic and emergent vegetation in the derelict channel, it will provide a fish fry refuge at time of high flows and offer some flood alleviation by increasing connectivity with the floodplain and allow silt to settle out of the floodplain.
In addition to the above, three pieces of woody debris will be installed which will further kick start geomorphic processes, in this case riffles, bank and bottom erosion and deposition. The woody debris allow pollutants to be filtered out, berms to be created and river flow to be more dynamic. Beyond the works on the river there will also be some hedge planting to connect up the landscape and the river and allow birds and other animals to move freely around the project site and other
Work has now been consented and has received planning permission and once the bird breeding season is complete, work will commence. Physical earthworks will take around a week to complete.
E
This project has seen the pre-fabrication, in HDPE plastic, of a larinier style fish pass which has been installed at one of the thirteen highlighted priority sites for fish passage improvements on the River Ouse in Sussex. Having attempted a "traditional" in-channel construction of the pass in 2012 and 2013 a new approach was needed to overcome constraints on the temporary works detail, the time it would take to install and the general methodology.
Using expertise from Sussex, Suffolk and Holland the pass was designed and delivered so it could be bolted together on site before being lifted into place and bolted down in a day. This approach eliminated the previous constraints and enabled a cost effective solution to be implemented with minimum disruption to the local angling club. +
R
This project involved removal of a weir over the River Bulbourne which was impounding flow and preventing the movement of fish. +
H
This project involved the removal of all artificial elements strengthening the banks of a river section on the Danube's left bank across from the city Hainburg. In the entire lower section of the project area, all stone and boulder supports were removed from a length of around 2.1 km. Because the upper section exhibited a nascent overhanging bank character, it was necessary to safeguard the embankment at the height of the regulated low water level, heeding however navigational requirements.
In the long term, the new riverbank should
* allow a natural and structurally multi-facetted riverbank landscape to develop
* bring about a continuous lateral shift of the bank edge and thus cultivate the associated erosion, siltation, and fluctuation zones and keep these in dynamic interplay in the long run
* work to counteract the formation of riverbank formations
* intensify the extent to which high water can replenish the riparian woods, inflow channels and bodies of water
* improve the groundwater connection between main stem and wetlands and keep it open in the years to come.
Indeed, shortly after construction had ended, the restoration potential of the landscape became clear: the flowing water had caused the river bank line to recede. After only a few months, the first signs of riverine habitat rejuvenation were observed in the flat sections of the inside bends. In particular the pioneer sites, the early succession stages and the wetland meadows were aided. Thus the highly-endangered species which find their home in these wetland habitats will be able to utilise them for a long time to come. +
B
This project is a PhD research project being conducted at Nottingham Trent University by Josh Wells, supervised by Dr Jillian Labadz (Nottingham Trent University) and advised by Andy Disney (Environment Agency) and Professor Colin Thorne (University of Nottingham). It was developed on Nottingham Trent University's Brackenhurst Campus following a summer 2013 extreme flood event in the catchment, which affected the nearby market town of Southwell, immediately downstream (Map 1). A total of 107.6mm of rain fell within a 2-hour period and resulted in the flooding of up to 300 homes.
The aim is to aims assess the extent to which Natural Flood Management (NFM) can help to reduce future fluvial flood occurrence in Southwell. A NFM scheme was developed for the Potwell Dyke catchment (Southwell, Nottinghamshire) as part of the PhD project. In summer 2016, 10 large woody debris dams were installed within the streams. In autumn 2016, a river restoration programme was implemented with the excavation of original meandering stream morphology along a reach plus the provision of some additional online storage capacity and the construction of 5 earth bunds in field corners. These interventions are designed to store and slow water while promoting ecological gains. A network of hydrological monitoring was installed to enable pre and post intervention stage (water level) and rainfall data to be compared. Around a year's worth of pre-intervention stage data have been collected at most locations, with one site being monitored for 2.5 years.
The catchment for the Potwell Dyke is around 6km2. The NFM interventions by Nottingham Trent University are in 2 subcatchments: Springfield Dumble and Parklane Close Dumble.
To date, an estimated 3,000m3 of storage has been created within these subcatchments. There is an intention to roll out further NFM measures on multiple land holdings within the Potwell Dyke catchment. Work is being carried out by Trent Rivers Trust to liaise with local landowners, with funding obtained from the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
S
This project is a triumph of persistence - the successful bid to the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) was third time lucky. Sir Maesyfed Salar 2012 (SMS 12) will restore the habitats of tributaries in the non- convergence area of Powys and Monmouthshire, including the river Elan.
The Elan presents an unusual challenge. Having been impounded for Birmingham's water supply since 1901, the river has progressively lost its supply of bedstone and gravels. Floods have washed gravel out of the river but the dams have prevented any replacement. On top of that, low compensation flows have allowed what spawning beds there are to become compacted. These two problems have confined salmon spawning to just a few remaining areas. The plan is simple: gravel will be taken from the entrance to the reservoirs upstream and placed immediately below the dam. Sites where compaction is limiting spawning will be loosened with techniques we successfully pioneered in 1994.
The other aspect of the project is to restore natural salmonid habitat by fencing and repair of erosion. Work will focus on the Ithon, its tributaries and other Radnorshire streams. Fencing out Radnor's massive stock of sheep and beef cattle will mean that streams that have lost all their vegetation will again have alder stands that stabilise some of the worst erosion and bank loss. The budget is £ 470,575 and the project will last for 2 years. We anticipate completing 30km of river improvement, along with gravel replacement on the Elan.
Progress:
September 2013
The lower Rhyd Y Meirch fish easement has been completed and a barrier removed from the lower Ffrwd where it joins the Usk.
The first round of habitat improvement work has been completed on the Nantmel Dulas, Blue Lins and Gwenlas (all Ithon tributaries) with further work on these due to start shortly. Work is in progress on the Farm Brook and Clywedog and consents on the Mithil, main Ithon and lower Llynfi are being obtained.
August 2013
We were awarded another £305K to complete the habitat, fish passage and water quality programme improvement programme elsewhere in our catchment. This funding will allow the places and sites that have missed out previously to be linked with sites that have already restored, as well as extending the activity within SMS12.
March 2013
Consents have been obtained. Habitat work has started on the Gwenlas, an upper Ithon tributary.
June 2014
To date, over 20km of habitat work (single bank) has been completed on the Ithon and its tributaries, including the Natmel, Clywedog, Gwenlas and Blue Lins. Three Usk tributaries have also benefitted from habitat improvement - the Bran, Yscir and Berthin (8.58km).
Three barriers to fish passage have been removed within SMS12, from the Llantrisant Brook, Berthin and mouth of the Ffrwd, all lower Usk tributaries. Two other lower Usk fish passes have been modified; on the Nant Ffrwd and Rhyd-y-Meirch.
A further 15km of the Ithon catchment (single bank) has been consented for habitat work later in 2014 along with approximately 6km of the Yscir. In addition, four fish easements are in the planning permission stage (3 on the upper Wye and one on the Gavenny) while another barrier will be removed from the Olway.
Potential sites for the abstraction and introduction of gravel to the Elan have been assessed and we are almost ready to start work on this part of the project.
R
This project is an excellent example of a partnership initiative that has not only restored the river and floodplain, but has also paid careful attention to improving the park amenities. The channel work was completed in spring 2002 and by September that year there had already been considerable movement of gravels. Natural geomorphological features including a pool/riffle sequence, gravel bars and steeper banks had formed. The pond has been colonised by invertebrates and the vegetation planted along the banks is now providing good cover in both the planted and unplanted sections.
'''Site background'''
This section of the River Quaggy, with a flashy flow regime, was channelised and straightened between 1960-1970 as
part of a flood alleviation scheme. Prior to restoration it was encased in concrete with fences and high privet hedges
near to each bank. It could neither be accessed nor viewed by the public and was devoid of natural fauna and flora.
'''Objectives'''
To reintroduce the floodplain as a natural flood storage area as part of a larger catchment flood alleviation plan; to enable the River Quaggy to become accessible to the public and hence create a local amenity; to create an environment where native fauna and flora could colonise and allow for natural channel processes.
'''Design'''
*The concrete channel in the park was replaced by a sinuous channel, allowing easy
access. It was (except where the cost of moving existing sewage drains prevented
this) cut to follow its path prior to channelisation.
*Whilst cutting the channel old gravels were evacuated and sufficient ‘room’ was left
along the river corridor to allow for natural adjustment.
*The margins of the channel were planted using a reputable source of native wetland
plants (including iris, water mint and reeds), a wetland grass and wild flower mix was
also sown. One section downstream has not been planted since there was a request
from the local group to allow natural colonisation.
*Flood storage ponds were included in the scheme and at the upstream section a
boardwalk, pond dipping and educational area, were incorporated to attract local
school children.
This project is located on Desborough recreation grounds towards the west of Wycombe. The river Wye flows through council parkland which is surrounded by domestic and commercial developments and two busy roads. It is a popular site for dog walking and is used regularly by the local community and school. It's a highly valued recreational area.
'''Aims'''
* Increased habitat diversity within the watercourse and along marginal zones to include the increase and diversity of nursery habitat.
* Enhance local aquatic vegetation, benthic communities and fish populations helping to improve ecological status (as measured under the WFD).
* Improve ecosystem services and aesthetic value for the local community and park users.
'''Implementations'''
* Remove and dispose of concrete revetment from the banks of selected sections of watercourse.
* Remove and remediate a concrete fish-pass, which is largely ineffective, favor of a more naturalised channel.
* Excavate a new meander in place of the fish-pass to lengthen the watercourse and decrease water velocity.
* Re-grade and re-profile the river bed and banks in selected sections to reduce the width of over-wide channels and create a narrower self-cleansing system.
* Define a more sinuous bank edge with coir rolls and brushwood faggots.
* Install soft revetment along selected sections of the river helping to promote marginal growth and prevent bank erosion.
* Restore and enhance marginal vegetation through planting of aquatic and marginal plants.
* Engage with local schools and provide learning opportunities for pupils.
As well as these there were also a few smaller actions that the project looked to do. These included the use of environmentally friendly plant equipment a vibrating post driver which is more environmentally friendly than a regular post driver. Like most restoration projects there were also some constraints that had to be considered. These included flood risk, project waste disposal and maintaining park safety. In total the project cost £80,000 and took 25 days.
S
This project is one of a number of flood storage/river & marsh restoration projects that have been in development dating back pre Flood & Water Management Act. The main objectives for this project are to make space for water through 3000m3 of flood storage, improve the river corridor hydrology, biodiversity, public space amenity including access for all and opportunity for encouraging water environmental education and more healthy lifestyles through wetland and woodland walks and nature trails. This will provide a basis to achieve the wider and longer term aims to improving water quality, more diverse flora, fauna, ecology, wildlife and habitat. +
W
This project is one of four sites delivered through the Defra Catchment Restoration Fund.
Designs were developed based on detailed 2D flood modelling undertaken in conjunction with cbec eco-engineering. Practical works were delivered during Summer 2014 with appointed contractors, Cain Bioengineering.
The work started with the removal of old toe-boarding from around the edge of Culvers Island. The island was re-profiled with a new bank line created using hazel faggot bundles secured with chestnut stakes and backed with coir netting. Sediment from the channel was then placed behind the new bank line.
The weir structures either side of the island were removed and the river channel narrowed using a combination of chestnut posts and hazel faggot bundles or gabion stone.
A causeway was built to create a backwater pond area using coir geotextile layered over a bed of stone and weighed down with gravel and sediment and planted with aquatic plants. The new island banks were re-graded to create a gradually sloped bank to which a variety of aquatic vegetation was planted with a team of 60 volunteers over three days.
Variations in depth, width and the introduction of gravel, small boulders and Large Woody Debris have all provided a diversity of habitats and increased the flow diversity of the channel throughout the site. +
R
This project is one of four sites delivered through the Defra Catchment Restoration Fund.
A total of 100 m of river corridor was improved.
Throughout the site toe boarding was removed and the bank renaturalised to create marginal habitat. A low flow channel was created using faggot bundles and coir rolls with the new banks planted up by local volunteers.
Large Woody Material (LWM) was installed to further increase flow diversity.
A number of bat hotels and bird boxes were installed in the surrounding green space with volunteers. +
E
This project is part of the National Strategy for River Restoration (an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, developed in the Zújar River by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadiana) and the State Special Fund to Revitalize Economy and Jobs (Plan E). The full project covers 30 km of the river, and to facilitate the execution of the works it was divided into four sub-projects.
The main objectives of the project were: restoration and conservation of riparian vegetation; restoration of the longitudinal and lateral connectivity of the fluvial ecosystem; preservation of the Public Hydraulic Domain from new pressures; environmental education and awareness through the development of outreach activities; enable wildlife mobility; monitoring the biological and physical factors of the reach. The total budget to carry out the rehabilitation and restoration of 30 Km of the Zújar river was 16.240.282 €. The extent of the project is limited to the Public Hydraulic Domain as the first stage of what could be -thanks to land acquisition- a more ambitious floodplain restoration project. +
R
This project is part of the National strategy for River Restoration, an initiative of the Ministry of Environment, and implemented at the Tajo basin by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Tajo. The zone of actuation is included in the CSI ES4240016, ZEPA ES0000092, "Parque Natural del Alto Tajo" and peripheral protection area of "Prados Húmedos de Torremocha del Pinar".
The open air mining releases a great quantity of sediments which are incorporated into the Tajo River and its tributaries at the area between Peñalén, Poveda de la Sierra and Taravilla. Despite the construction of pools for collect the runoff and the sediment scours from the mining exploitations, some turbidity can be observed. The result is the alteration of the water quality and the availability of instream habitats.
The main objective of the project is to improve the availability of habitats and recovery the fish populations. The principal measures are directed to improve the quality of the water, improve the structure and substrate of the channel and recover the longitudinal connectivity of the river. The installation of a fish pass at the Salto de la Poveda would allow the migration of the fish upstream.
The establishment of buffer strips contributes to ameliorate the quantity of sediments carried with the runoff. This way, the decrease of turbidity may improve the quality of aquatic habitats and the morphology of the channel. Anyway, at the monitoring stage it has to be proved that the scope of the vegetal filters is enough to mitigate the impact of the kaolin mining. +
A
This project is to facilitate the re-opening of the Maigue Salmon fishery, by producing statistical evidence to allow accurate estimates of fish stocks.This project was carried out in-conjunction with OPW & IFI. +
M
This project lowers the waterlevels of the river Waal during high water events with 9 cm. This is achieved by lowering the ground surface level of the river foreland, and by digging new gullies, which will also create more natural conditions. As a result, a river dunes landscape interspersed with forest will (re)emerge.
Also see the infographic on http://issuu.com/ruimtevoorderivier/docs/uiterwaardvergraving_millingerwaard (Dutch) +
D
This project restored natural features to a section of the Day Brook as it flows through a small park on the outskirts of Nottingham city.
The brook was moved from the existing heavily modified and shaded channel into a more natural course. Brook length has been increased with the introduction of meanders along with shallower, soft banks and variation in flow and bed conditions. We aim to improve water quality through the planting of marginal vegetation and the creation of a reed bed at the outfall of a surface water sewer.
With the material produced from the channel excavations, a shallow bund has been constructed to retain flood waters within the park in order to help reduce flooding of downstream properties.
In an effort to raise awareness of the watercourse and to create a more attractive park environment, 2 new bridges now take an existing path over the new brook channel.
This part of the brook is one of the few sections not within a culvert as it flows through Gedling Borough. Downstream the brook mostly flows within a heavily modified channel and the entire length is subject to pollution from diffuse, urban sources.
This project is a sister project to the Day Brook rain gardens - http://restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study%3ADay_Brook_Rain_Gardens
Restoration work commenced in February 2014 and was completed in May 2014.
Photos of the works are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/environment-agency/sets/72157644692138259/?view=sq.
Increase community awareness of urban catchment challenges. +
R
This project targeted 1850 ha in the valley of the Grote Nete to restore a habitat mosaic landscape. The valley holds 11 remarkable habitat types, including sand dune and dune-heath vegetation, dry heath, species-rich grasslands, aquatic plant communities and forests on wet soils. Some rare species are also present.
Natuurpunt and the Flemish Region have established several protected areas in the valley. However afforestation, eutrophication, habitat fragmentation, intensification of agriculture, and disturbances still have adverse affects for the natural hydrology of the river.
Restoration works involved clearing trees, re-naturalising river courses and landscape hydrology, eradication of invasive water plants and improving spawning possibilities for fish in the river system. An integrated management plan for the site would be prepared and actions implemented to ensure permanent conservation of the habitats. +
S
This project was a follow-up from a previous project (Ouzel habitat improvements). Original project used large wooden deflectors in the channel to clean underlying gravels and kickstart natural process. However, the wood used was too small, and the channel over-large and -modified for the deflectors to be instigate significant change.
This project used a long reach excavator to re-form the channel, creating a series of deeper pools and riffle sections, where previously, the channel was wide, shallow and uniform in both flow and bed morphology.
There was evidence of water vole activity at this site, therefore banks were left untouched and the 'shoulder' or pinch-point' features were detached from the bank leaving a 30 cm 'gutter'. This prevented the possibility of any water voles becoming entombed in the bank. Following the work faggot bundles will be installed in these gutters to allow gradual build up of sediment an development of vegetation in the gaps. +
W
This project was an opportunity to naturalise the river channel, improve habitat, biodiversity and improve conveyancing and management of flood risk. +