Case study:BALLYMONEY RIVERSIDE PARK RESTORATION PROJECT
Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Fisheries, Flood risk management, Habitat and biodiversity, Social benefits, Urban |
Country | Northern Ireland |
Main contact forename | Gareth |
Main contact surname | Greer |
Main contact user ID | |
Contact organisation | Rivers Agency Northern Ireland (DARDNI) |
Contact organisation web site | http://www.dardni.gov.uk/riversagency |
Partner organisations | Ballymoney Borough Council; Dept Culture Arts and Leisure Inland Fisheries Group; Northern Ireland Environment Agency |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
Project summary
This is an urban project, which aims to return an on-line boating lake on the Ballymoney River, to a productive salmonid stream. The impetus for the project was the ongoing cost of dredging the boating lake, which stimulated broader thinking towards a more sustainable plan for the site. Following a flood risk assessment, a scheme was agreed which entailed; the removal of a low weir, the restoration of a natural channel width, the restoration of natural substrate , the creation of in-channel features and the creation of wetland floodplain habitat which will provide flood storage.
The project will be used as a demonstration site for multi-benefit restoration in an urban environment, and as an example of multi-agency working and funding.
Works included: Removal of low weir to permit natural sediment transport.
Monitoring surveys and results
Pre works assessment included a River Hydromorphology Assessmeent (RHAT) and fisheries survey, and a flood risk assessment. The site will be monitored for several years, with the council monitoring the development of the wetland and impacts on wildfowl, Rivers Agency continuing flood risk assessment, DCAL carrying out fish stock and habitat assessment, and NIEA carry out a reRHAT on regular intervals.
Lessons learnt
The value of a multi-benefit scheme, through joint funding and agreed outcomes.
The value of good PR and information from an early stage in project development.
Image gallery
Catchment and subcatchment
Site
Project background
Cost for project phases
Supplementary funding informationDARD Rivers contributed 10k towards the overall cost of the project, and acted as contractor for the scheme, employed by the council.. DCAL Inland Fisheries contributed 30k through NASCO (North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation) funding. All other costs covered by Ballymoney Borough Council
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 This is a partnership project, involving government departments and the local council. The project was opportunistic in nature, being developed due to the maintenance costs of the current situation. The benefits are as much social and educational as environmental. Monitoring using RHAT and fish surveys will commence next year, once the project has "settled". It will be used as a demonstration site for urban restoration
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