Difference between revisions of "Case study:Pearls in Peril LIFE+ GB Project - River Ehen"

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Project summary

The River Ehen, supports the largest viable population of pearl mussels left in England, estimated at between 350,000 and 500,000 individuals. The Ehen is the most important river in England for freshwater pearl mussels, both biogeographically and for its size and population structure. 13km of the main River Ehen, from the outlet of Ennerdale Water, to the confluence of the River Keekle in Cleator Moor are designated as protected sites for both pearl mussels and Atlantic Salmon.

Pearls in Peril has delivered actions that work to reduce diffuse pollution, siltation and erosion and aim to improve water quality to safeguard the future of the River Ehen freshwater pearl mussel population.

The project has produced a river wide Conservation Management Plan that, for the first time, brought together stakeholders across the catchment to identify key issues and priorities. Directed by the Management Plan and supported by project partners the project has completed over 240m of willow spiling, fenced livestock from 5km of riverbank, provided alternative livestock waterings and planted over 7000 trees. Five sites, covering 350m of riverbank, have been restored using green engineering techniques including bank re-profiling, tree planting, willow spiling, and fencing. In river obstructions causing erosion and scour have been removed and brash bundles have been used to encourage natural river bank restoration. Gateways and heavily poached stock crossings have been gravelled and the project has removed 60 tonnes of rubble from riverbank.

Volunteers have undertaken incredible amounts of work including hedge laying, making brash bundles, installing leaky dams, creating new wetland areas and tree planting.

Monitoring surveys and results

Monitoring work has been undertaken including sonde data collection, freshwater pearl mussel survey and electro-fishing. On the River Ehen Atlantic salmon are the preferred host fish for as part of the freshwater pearl mussel lifecycle.