Case study:Upper River Witham : Easton
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Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Habitat and biodiversity |
Country | England |
Main contact forename | Matt |
Main contact surname | Parr |
Main contact user ID | |
Contact organisation | Environment Agency |
Contact organisation web site | http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency |
Partner organisations | |
Parent multi-site project | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
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Project summary
Weir removal to restore bed gradient; channel narrowing and flow deflection to create flow variation and beneficial bed scour using log flow deflectors (vanes), open and enclosed log/faggot and brushwood mattresses (silt-traps) and earth, turf and silt filled log- or faggot-fronted enclosures; creation of sections of 2-stage channel and enhancing marginal wetland habitat by reprofiling eroded banks; excavation of pools in the river bed; increasing in-stream woody habitat by securing existing deadwood and hinging and pinning (layering) live riverside trees; and fencing to prevent bank erosion by livestock.
Project Objectives The pre-project surveys and assessments led to the identification of the following objectives for the enhancement scheme:
Reduce the impact of sediment inputs as a result of erosion caused by livestock. Repair eroded banks and protect them from erosion in the future. Trap sediment already in the system. Improve flows and natural cleansing of spawning gravels. Improve light levels in over-shaded sections. Improve habitat for trout, coarse fish and native white-clawed crayfish. Ensure that historic features within the Grade II Listed Historic Park and Garden are protected.
Three separate schemes based on these objectives were prepared.
Monitoring surveys and results
In addition to the established annual fish monitoring programme downstream of Easton Walled Garden and invertebrate sampling at Easton Lane Bridge, visual inspections of the enhanced reach will be undertaken, and the fixed point photographic record will be updated to monitor the integrity and performance of the in-stream enhancements and record any changes they are making to river morphology. Post-works redd (trout spawning nest) surveys were undertaken upstream and downstream of Easton Lane. 6 redds were located in the upstream (Easton Park) section, but none were located downstream. These surveys provide a baseline for future monitoring.
Lessons learnt
Need for gravel and floodplain connectivity in addition to these techniques to drive real change.
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Other case studies in this subcatchment: Aubourn Rock Ramp and Habitat Works, Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration, Dysart Park, Grantham Habitat Improvement, Grantham Blue Green - Urban Reach, Little Ponton, Manthorpe Floodplain Reconnection, Papermill Weir Section in-channel restoration, River Witham Great Ponton, Stainby Road, Colsterworth, Syston and Barkston Restoration... further results
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Project background
Cost for project phases
Reasons for river restoration
Measures
MonitoringHydromorphological quality elements
Biological quality elements
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