Case study:River Eye
Project overview
Status | Complete |
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Project web site | |
Themes | Habitat and biodiversity |
Country | England |
Main contact forename | Ruth |
Main contact surname | Needham |
Main contact user ID | |
Contact organisation | Trent Rivers Trust |
Contact organisation web site | http://www.trentriverstrust.org |
Partner organisations | Natural England |
Parent multi-site project | |
This is a parent project encompassing the following projects |
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Project summary
The aim of the project was to restore reaches of river within the SSSI. In particular to increase channel sinuosity, retain large woody material, carry out bank enhancement and raise bed levels. Carry out tree management where agreed in the Strategic Restoration Plan (Royal Hakoning, 2014).
The works consisted of constructing in channel and bank features to conserve, enhance, restore, and rehabilitate features along the river. A total of 30 features were installed to stimulate the level of natural processes to return the SSSI back to favourable condition in the medium to longer term.
• Bank re-profiling – 10 stretches of bank mainly the inside of meanders were re-profiled to vary the gradients, creating shallows and increase habitats. • Channel narrowing – In 4 suitable location banks were pushed into the channel to create backwaters • Brushwood mattresses – 9 BWM were installed to narrow over wide and straight sections of channel. • Large Wood Material – Locally sourced timber was installed in 7 location to add flow variation to the channel. • Gravel – Gravel was added to 3 locations to raise the bed level. It was introduced at 4 m intervals. • Tree planting – The river has little riparian tree cover so 475 trees were planted in 6 blocks.
Monitoring surveys and results
As part of the restoration project TRT is undertaking a fixed point monitoring programme of the measures delivered. It includes photographs of each site before, during and post construction.
The site was visited in December 2016 and all features were in situ and performing as planned.
Lessons learnt
The long term overall benefits in terms of biodiversity of the restoration will been significant. However during the planning and the delivery stages several issues came to light that made the work more complicated and increased costs.
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Catchment and subcatchment
Site
Project background
Cost for project phases
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
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