Case study:Tolka Valley Park at Finglas
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Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Habitat and biodiversity, Social benefits |
Country | Ireland |
Main contact forename | Maryann |
Main contact surname | Harrie |
Main contact user ID | |
Contact organisation | Dublin City Council |
Contact organisation web site | http://www.dublincity.ie |
Partner organisations | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
Tolka Valley Park at Finglas 2, Tolka Valley Park at Finglas 3, Tolka Valley Park erosion control |
Project summary
The Tolka Valley Park along the River Tolka was constructed in 1999-2000 to address misconnections and domestic effluents as a result of poor management in the area. The project aimed to attenuate pollutants and reduce malodours in order to enhance the amenity value of the site by creating of a new park with wetland and ponds for local biodiversity and people. A pilot study was completed with insigths to develop the project plan for the Tolka Valley Park.
Restoration measures included riparian planting to slow flows and prevent erosion, installation of geotextile to help the drainage of paths, construction of wetlands and sustainable urban drainage ponds, remedial planting to take up leachates and creation of new habitat. Landfill management issues addressed were on-going leachate introducing gravel filtration strips and vegetation buffers, as well as associated issues (i.e. methane, anaerobic conditions and methane issues). Creation of the wetlands was a 3 stage process. Actions aimed to attenuate and treat road runoff external to site and capture runoff within the site while controlling flooding. The new wetlands provide more habitat diversity for wildlife with visual interest for people.
Restoration overview: The re-colonisation by young, wild Atlantic salmon was spotted by Inland Fisheries Ireland in 3 locations in the Tolka. This is attributed mainly to the removal and modification of weirs as part of the “Tolka River's flood relief scheme” to allow migratory species, such as salmon, to migrate along the river corridor. As salmon can only survive in clean water, their presence also reflects efforts to reduce pollution levels in the river and effectiveness of the restoration measures aiming to improve water quality. Dublin now has 3 rivers producing wild salmon stocks (the Liffey, Dodder and Tolka), making it the only European capital city to hold such an accolade.
Monitoring surveys and results
Lessons learnt
Image gallery
Catchment and subcatchment
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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