Case study:Abbots Worthy Restoration Project

Project overview

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Status	Complete
Project web site	http://https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2020/10/15/winning-the-rivers-prize-2020-restoring-our-unique-chalk-streams-for-people-wildlife-and-the-environment/
Themes	Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity
Country	England
Main contact forename	Environment
Main contact surname	Agency
Main contact user ID
Contact organisation	Environment Agency
Contact organisation web site	http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
Partner organisations	Natural England
Parent multi-site project	Case_study:Test and Itchen River Restoration Strategy
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects	No

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Project summary

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To restore degraded section of SSSI in line with Test and Itchen River Restoration Strategy and WFD objectives through a series of well known river restoration techniques

The "Abbots Worthy Restoration Project" aims to revitalise a degraded section of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by implementing established river restoration methods, aligning with the principles outlined in the "Test and Itchen River Restoration Strategy" and the goals of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), focusing on improving the ecological health of the river by creating more natural habitats for aquatic life through techniques like removing obstructions, re-profiling river banks, adding gravel, and planting native vegetation.

Key elements of the project: Following the Test and Itchen model: The project will draw on successful restoration techniques used in the Test and Itchen rivers, which are renowned for their chalk stream ecosystems, likely including the removal of weirs, re-meandering of the river channel, and the introduction of woody debris to create diverse habitats.

Addressing degradation: The project will identify and address the specific degradation issues within the SSSI, such as excessive erosion, lack of instream habitat complexity, and poor water quality, which could be hindering the aquatic life present.

Diverse restoration techniques:

• Channel modifications: Reshaping the river channel to create more natural meanders and variations in water flow to mimic a healthy river system.
• Gravel addition: Placing gravel in strategic locations to provide spawning grounds for fish species.
• Bank stabilization: Using natural methods like planting native vegetation to stabilize eroding banks and create riparian buffers.
• Woody debris management: Adding or strategically placing fallen trees within the river to provide shelter and complexity for aquatic organisms.

Monitoring surveys and results

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Alignment with WFD objectives/ Improving ecological status: The project aims to enhance the ecological status of the river by restoring natural habitats and improving water quality, aligning with the primary goal of the WFD.

Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring of the restored area will be crucial to assess the effectiveness of the restoration activities and track changes in the aquatic ecosystem, including fish populations, macroinvertebrate communities, and plant life.

Lessons learnt

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Stakeholder engagement: Collaboration with landowners, local communities, and relevant environmental agencies is essential for successful implementation and long-term management of the restored area. Overall, the Abbots Worthy Restoration Project aims to significantly improve the ecological health of a degraded SSSI section by applying well-established river restoration techniques, ultimately contributing to the wider conservation goals of the Test and Itchen River Restoration Strategy and the WFD objectives.

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Location: 51° 5' 16.75" N, 1° 17' 6.30" W

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Catchment and subcatchment Select a catchment/subcatchment Site Edit site Name WFD water body codes WFD (national) typology WFD water body name Pre-project morphology Reference morphology Desired post project morphology Heavily modified water body National/international site designation Local/regional site designations Protected species present Invasive species present Species of interest Dominant hydrology Dominant substrate River corridor land use Average bankfull channel width category Average bankfull channel width (m) Average bankfull channel depth category Average bankfull channel depth (m) Mean discharge category Mean annual discharge (m3/s) Average channel gradient category Average channel gradient Average unit stream power (W/m2) Project background Edit project background Reach length directly affected (m) 400400 m <br />0.4 km <br />40,000 cm <br /> Project started 2018/04/01 Works started Works completed Project completed Total cost category Total cost (k€) 98,00098,000 k€ <br />98,000,000 € <br /> Benefit to cost ratio Funding sources Cost for project phases Phase cost category cost exact (k€) Lead organisation Contact forename Contact surname Investigation and design Stakeholder engagement and communication Works and works supervision Post-project management and maintenance Monitoring Reasons for river restoration Edit reasons for restoration Mitigation of a pressure Hydromorphology Biology Physico-chemical Other reasons for the project Measures Edit Measures Structural measures Bank/bed modifications Floodplain / River corridor Planform / Channel pattern Other Non-structural measures Management interventions Social measures (incl. engagement) Other Monitoring Hydromorphological quality elements Edit Hydromorphological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Biological quality elements Edit biological quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Physico-chemical quality elements Edit Physico-chemical quality elements Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic Edit Other responses Element When monitored Type of monitoring Control site used Result Before measures After measures Qualitative Quantitative Monitoring documents Upload monitoring documents Additional documents and videos Upload additional documents Additional links and references Edit links and references Link Description Supplementary Information Edit Supplementary Information