Case study:River Wensum Restoration, Reach 9 Attlebridge
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Project overview
| Status | Complete |
|---|---|
| Project web site | |
| Themes | Habitat and biodiversity, Hydromorphology |
| Country | England |
| Main contact forename | Amy |
| Main contact surname | Butcher |
| Main contact user ID | User:Amy.butcher |
| Contact organisation | Environment Agency |
| Contact organisation web site | http://gov.uk/environment-agency |
| Partner organisations | |
| Parent multi-site project | |
| This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
This scheme is part of implementation of the River Wensum Restoration Strategy (RWRS). The River Wensum in Norfolk is nationally and internationally important for wildlife. The Attlebridge scheme (Unit 53, Reach 9 and part of Reach 8 from the feasibility studies) covers 1.3km of channel, from Marriott’s Way downstream to the A1067 Fakenham Road Bridge. The key existing conditions which influenced the restoration measures included bank erosion, lack of bankside tree cover, lack of in-channel woody material and limited off-channel refuge areas. The scheme includes the installation of woody material features to help stimulate variation in the flow regime and help restore the natural form and function of the channel. On areas of riverbank showing signs of erosion and cattle poaching we have re-profiled the riverbank to provide a gentler more natural bank angle encouraging wetland marginal vegetation to establish. ‘Reject’ and smaller gravel material has been used to reduce the impact of cattle poaching on sediment mobilisation. Backwater refuge areas have been created by re-connecting an existing field drain. Shallow fry refuge habitat was also achieved by re-excavating an existing shallow open area at the confluence of the drain and river such that it was able to be inundated by water from the river again. Additional fry refuge habitat was also created adjacent to an existing ford crossing. Aside from the very downstream end of the reach, the river corridor was largely devoid of trees. We have planted 130 native wetland species along the reach which will, in the long-term, improve bank stability, create a diversity of light and shade conditions and provide a potential source of woody material to the river, improving physical habitat and providing cover for fish.
Monitoring surveys and results
Lessons learnt
Felled poplar trees provided locally won woody material but required substantial fixings to prevent their movement due to the porous and buoyant nature of the wood.
Cattle were observed to avoid the reject gravel ford crossing and walk across the existing softer bed material, causing erosion and mobilising silt. Formal cattle crossing designs and drinking points need fencing to prevent livestock from choosing their own routes.
Image gallery
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Catchment
Subcatchment
Other case studies in this subcatchment: Great Ryburgh End Restoration Scheme, Meander reinstatement on the River Wensum at the Ryburgh Loop, River Wensum Restoration, Reach 10 Lenwade, River Wensum Restoration, Reach 3a Costessey, River rehabilitation on the River Wensum at Swanton Morley, Sculthorpe Moor Restoration Scheme, Wensum River Restoration and Floodplain Enhancement, Wensum River Restoration and Floodplain Enhancement, Pensthorpe
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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