Case study:Little Ponton
Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Fisheries, 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 | Grantham Angling Association Fly Fishing Section |
Parent multi-site project | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
No |
Project summary
Project Objectives
- To reduce fine sediment inputs caused by bank erosion.
- Trap mobile fine sediments already in the river.
- To improve conveyance during higher flows and reduce flood risk.
- To improve in-stream habitats and the bed structure to benefit fish and invertebrates, including white-clawed crayfish.
The Enhancement Scheme The enhancement scheme was completed in two phases. A short section downstream of Great Ponton Mill was completed in February 2013 and the second, the continuation downstream to Whalebone Lane, Little Ponton, was completed in mid-August 2014. Prior to the enhancement work the in-river habitat was in generally good condition, however opportunities were identified to provide additional cover and food supply for a range of aquatic organisms together with measures to modify the flow to improve the structure of the riverbed and reduce the deposition of fine sediment.
The works consisted of brushwood mattress installation, Hinged Trees, Log Flow Deflectors and Vanes, improved stock fencing and ford refurbishment.
Monitoring surveys and results
A fixed point photographic record has been set up and this, together with visual inspections, will be used to monitor the integrity and performance of the in-stream structures. A programme of fine sediment sampling and Wolman Pebble Counts to monitor the coarser riverbed material has also been established. In combination they will determine and record changes to river morphology as the result of the works. The established crayfish monitoring site at the bottom of the reach is already surveyed every 2 years and this will give an indication of the impact of the scheme on crayfish numbers. Finally additional ongoing invertebrate sampling will identify any ecological and water quality changes that occur.
Lessons learnt
Learning lessons from the earlier GAAFFS work, willow logs were was not used in the subsequent phase of enhancement work. Instead logs, branches and brushwood generated by the management of other riverside tree
and shrub species were used to create a variety of structures to protect vulnerable banks from erosion, narrow the channel and trap suspended fine sediment.
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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, Manthorpe Floodplain Reconnection, Papermill Weir Section in-channel restoration, River Witham Great Ponton, Stainby Road, Colsterworth, Syston and Barkston Restoration, Upper Cringle Floodplain Restoration Project... 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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Any other monitoring, e.g. social, economic
Monitoring documents
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Supplementary InformationEdit Supplementary Information
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