Case study:Louds Mill (Downstream)m Enhancement
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Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Environmental flows and water resources, Fisheries, Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology |
Country | England |
Main contact forename | Aly |
Main contact surname | Maxwell |
Main contact user ID | User:Alymaxwell |
Contact organisation | Environment Agency |
Contact organisation web site | |
Partner organisations | |
Parent multi-site project | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
The reach downstream of Louds Mill was an over wide channel with little marginal vegetation and poor in channel bed morphology. During low flows the river was spread over the whole width of the channel leading to a shallow river. Spawning potential in the reach were limited due to compacted and over silted gravels. There was also very little cover and in channel structure provided by tree and in channel woody debris.
The River Frome Rehabilitation Plan states the main proposals to improve the SSSI condition and WFD objectives of unit 1b and to incorporate as part of the Louds Mill Enhancement were to: a) reprofile banks (to narrow the low flow channel and improve the marginal zone b) to reprofile river bed (to clean the gravels of silt break its compacted nature – improving spawning potential) c) introduce large woody debris to the reach (d) new riparian tree planting (willow whips to be inserted into the bank edges and soft margins at key locations.
Monitoring surveys and results
Pre works electro fishing was complete. This is due for repeat in 2015
Lessons learnt
The technique of installing Large Woody Debris at this site involved digging a trench securing up to a third of the limb in the trench with the remaining in the channel. By using the thicker end of the limb in the trench it left only the thinner branches in the river.
Ideally the wood shoul dbe as large as possible when in the river to ensure it will be long lasting and have as big an impact on the flows lcoally as possible.
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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