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P
==What’s important about PIP?==
Great Britain contains a significant quantity of the known breeding populations of freshwater pearl mussel in Europe. The PIP Project has crucial implications for the whole of the EU. Without this project, it is likely that mussel populations in Britain will continue to decline with possible extinction in many rivers. Given the importance of the British populations in a European and global context, their loss would have a catastrophic impact on the overall survival of the freshwater pearl mussel in Europe.
It is essential that we work together to improve our water courses to give this amazing animal a chance of survival. This ancient and internationally protected species cleans our rivers and can live for over 100 years. Improving watercourses not only helps freshwater pearl mussel, it also benefits the whole river ecosystem. PIP will raise awareness of the issues and work with local communities, landowners and managers to make changes that will safeguard the future of the freshwater pearl mussel.
==Who we are……==
‘Pearls in Peril’ (PIP) is a UK wide LIFE nature project with 22 partners working together to restore river habitats benefiting freshwater pearl mussel and salmonids (salmon and trout). The project was approved by LIFE in September 2012 and will run until September 2016. A total of 48 actions will be delivered across 21 rivers designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for freshwater pearl mussel.
==What are our aims.....==
The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) is declining dramatically throughout its range and is under grave threat within Great Britain. Mussel populations have been affected by multiple issues, including wildlife crime, habitat degradation and declining water quality. This project will help to safeguard the future of the most important pearl mussel populations in Great Britain by tackling these threats and implementing best practice conservation methods. The project has the following aims:
1. To RESTORE the habitat of freshwater pearl mussels and salmonids in selected river catchments within Great Britain.
2. To SECURE the long term survival of existing freshwater pearl mussel populations and prevent their further degradation.
3. To COMMUNICATE with local, national and international audiences to raise awareness of freshwater pearl mussel conservation issues.
==What are we doing to RESTORE habitat......==
We are promoting and facilitating the use of suitable Agri-environment scheme by land managers and are using these schemes to implement riparian tree planting and the fencing of river banks to improve bank stability and reduce silt input to the water course.
Sites have been identified for in stream restoration that will most benefit pearl mussels and salmonids (Atlantic salmon and trout). This involves seeding river beds with gravel and removing artificial river structures such as croys and weirs to reinstate river bed habitat for juvenile mussels and fish.
In areas where commercial forestry takes place, and which was planted prior to the use of current good practice guidance, silt run-off can cause significant damage to potential freshwater pearl mussel and salmonid habitat. Riparian tree planting using native broadleaves will occur and man-made drainage ditches will be blocked to reduce silt and nutrient run-off and improve water quality.
Some catchments have high levels of silt and nutrient enriched water draining off the slopes into the river. A series of strategically positioned ponds and wetlands will be created to intercept enriched run-off before it reaches the river to improve water quality.
==How do we SECURE the long term survival of freshwater pearl mussel.......==
A seasonal Riverwatcher is employed to develop a ‘riverwatcher’ scheme in selected catchments within Scotland where illegal pearl fishing and unauthorised river works are still a threat. The scheme will raise awareness of the threats to the freshwater pearl mussel and will undertake coordinated action to prevent and report illegal activity.
In some rivers pearl mussel populations are too small for natural recovery to be guaranteed. The PIP project is collecting mussel larvae (glochidia) and introducing the larvae onto the gills of young salmon and trout (encystment) to mimic the natural lifecycle of the mussel and increase the juvenile freshwater pearl mussel population.
==What tools are being used to COMMUNICATE........==
To promote awareness of the freshwater pearl mussel amongst the younger generation an educational programme 'Pearls in the Classroom' is being delivered across selected catchments. This will also help to deliver the objective of securing populations by encouraging local families to recognise the damage that illegal activities can cause.
A range of dissemination events will take place throughout the project. These will focus on different audiences and will raise awareness of the actions taken during the project and how they can be applied more widely.
It will include the delivery of presentations, seminars and interpretation material and the organising of a final project conference.
Monitoring work is being implemented to ensure the project delivers its expected results as well as adequately monitors the project impacts. Monitoring will include:
*water quality;
*habitat;
*freshwater pearl mussels;
*host salmonids; and
*levels of uptake and implementation of habitat restoration measures.
LIFE Administrative data:
Project reference LIFE11 NAT/UK/000383
Duration 03-SEP-2012 to 02-SEP -2016
Total budget 4,617,398.00 €
EU contribution 2,293,990.00 €
==SPECIFIC PROJECT ACTIONS ON THE RIVER SPEY==
* Facilitate and implement improved riparian habitat in the River Spey
* 17.5km of riparian enhancements was carried out.
* Work with land managers to develop Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) riparian planting schemes on the River Spey.
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'''Aims and objectives'''
TRUck Vision
To develop a pilot project that highlights the role of natural riparian and floodplain intervention measures in managing flood risk in a discreet river catchment (the River Uck) through delivery of natural riparian and floodplain interventions such as wet woodland.
Subsidiary Vision
To document and provide evidence of the ecosystem service and biodiversity benefits accrued from applying a naturalistic landscape-scale flood risk management strategy to the Uck catchment.
Aims of the TRUck Project
To form an innovative partnership between Sussex Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Woodland Trust and other partners that delivers the project vision. To deliver the aims of the Water Framework Directive and Ouse Catchment Flood Management Plan through natural floodplain enhancements in order to:
* Help decrease velocities of flood flows by naturally increasing the in-channel and floodplain roughness of the Uck catchment.
* Help decrease unnecessary drainage and run-off from the catchment upstream of Uckfield.
* Help increase the carrying capacity of washlands and the water storage capacity of the Uck.
* Help all water bodies in the project area to achieve ‘good’ ecological and chemical status.
To engage the public, landowners, farmers and stakeholders in the process of promoting good practice catchment management.
To help others to have a better understanding of natural flooding and river processes and their implications for catchment management.
'''Objectives'''
Delivery
*Identify suitable sites for Catchment Riparian Intervention Measures (CRIMs) and floodplain habitat and natural flood storage enhancements through the analysis, interpretation and collation of research and GIS data.
*Produce a project plan outlining timings and focus areas for the project.
*Support and facilitate the appropriate installation of CRIMs and other riparian enhancements such as floodplain woodland.
*Set up an effective monitoring system along the river to assess the effects of TRUck project work.
Communication
*Promote natural processes and naturalistic river and floodplain restoration methods and encourage others to implement them in appropriate locations.
*Promote the TrUck project, its outputs and landowner offers (such as tree planting) through literature, events, communications and other media.
*Provide an accessible and informative project ‘hub’ and public face for the TrUck project materials.
*Hold stakeholder and community engagement events, and a project presence at other events where appropriate.
*Produce a project summary using TrUck as a case study of best practice and lessons learnt from project delivery.
A
'''Alkborough Flats''' are on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, on the eastern side of the confluence between the River Trent and the River Humber. The site is around 440 hectares of agricultural land, of which approximately 375 hectares are protected by a flood embankment constructed in the late 1950s.
The Alkborough tidal defence scheme increases the level of flood protection to an area stretching from the Humber Bridge to Goole up the tidal River Ouse and as far as Keadby Bridge on the tidal River Trent.
The scheme features include a 20 metre-wide breach of the existing flood bank, a 1,500 metre length of lowered
embankment or spillway and a new section of floodbank to protect assets at the edge of the site.
The scheme has been designed to: reduce the impact of sea level rise; safeguard the internationally important nature conservation interest of the Humber by creating new wetland habitat; provide a focus for education and access opportunities for local communities.
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https://www.therrc.co.uk/sites/default/files/projects/54_alkborough.pdf +
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'''Aquatic Refuges'''
Aquatic refuges are physical places within a river corridor that allow populations of aquatic organisms to persist
during times of disturbance. Disturbances experienced by the River Crane include sudden increases in flow and
river levels, minor flooding, and pollution events. The organisms harboured in a refuge are able to re-colonise the
main river when the disturbance has passed.
'''Importance of Aquatic Refuges for heavily modified water bodies'''
Anthropogenic alterations to the flow regime and floodplain connectivity of lowland rivers have been observed to
have detrimental impacts on fish populations (Bolland, 2008). The River Crane is a heavily modified water body
with poor connectivity to its floodplain. In unmodified lowland rivers, floods are characterized by lateral expansion
onto floodplains resulting in high levels of habitat heterogeneity, essential for fish refuge, spawning, nursery
and feeding (Bolland, 2008).
Cowx & Gerdeaux (2004) suggested the necessity of recreating functional habitats for spawning, feeding, nursery(growth) and resting (self protection) on heavily modified river channels. Recreating these types of habitats
involves softening levees and reconnecting secondary channels (backwaters) and isolated oxbows (Lusk et al.,
2001, 2003). Such restoration efforts may only be necessary in limited reaches of a river corridor to maintain the
biodiversity of a fishery (Cowx & Welcomme, 1998).
'''Aim of this project'''
This report aims to assess feasibility of creating aquatic refuge areas along the mid-Crane (between Crane Park
and Cranford Park) in order to create functional habitats for coarse fish spawning, feeding, nursery and resting.
Some sites may also have the potential for habitat enhancements for water voles and aquatic invertebrates.
Sites are ordered via location, downstream to upstream.
'''References:'''
Bolland, J.D. (2008). Factors affecting the dispersal of coarse fish. Thesis submitted for the degree of doctor of
philosophy. The University of Hull.
Cowx, I.G. & Gerdeaux, D. (2004). The effects of fisheries management practices on freshwater ecosystems,
Fisheries Management and Ecology 11, 145-152.
Cowx, I.G. & Welcome, R.L. (1998). Rehabilitation of Rivers for Fish. Oxford: Fishing News Books, Blackwell
Science, 260 pp.
Lusk, S., Halacka, K. & Luskova, V. (2003) Rehabilitation the floodplain of the lower River Dyje for fish. River
Reseach and Applications. 19, 281-288
Lusk, S., Halacka, K. & Luskova, V. & Horak, V. (2001). Annual dynamics of the fish stock in a backwater of the
River Dyje. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 17, 571-581.
B
'''Initial conditions'''
The Blanice River springs at 972 m above sea level in the Šumava Mountains and joins the Otava River at an elevation of 362 m, where it is characterised as a lowland river with remaining oxbows. The gradient of the 93.3 km long river is 5.15% and the average flow is 4.23 m3.s-1 at its lower end.
Many damming-up devices have been built for water mills, hammer mills and sawmills, increasing the need for water. The river was
fragmented into parts with still water and parts where the flow was regulated. The character of the river ecosystem has changed, affecting the natural development of fish populations (Hartvich et al. 2004). A high dam works as a migration barrier. It cannot be overcome by fish moving upstream and so the long-term loss of upstream migration negatively influences the exchange of genetic information during reproduction. Separated fish populations become smaller as well as less resilient. Fish which are flushed downstream by the flow cannot get back to their habitat (Peter 1998, Lucas & Baras 2001). Therefore fish passes are built where damming-up devices (weirs etc.) are located. They allow fish and other aquatic animals to pass
the barriers and move freely along the river. Fish passes transfer the backwater to the stream below the barrier and are either a part of the migration barrier or placed on the grounds next to the barrier. In this case the fish pass functions as the bypass of a barrier. These fish passes are built in such a way that their character, structure and stream flow
are similar to the conditions of natural rivers (Kubečka et al. 1997, Cowx & Welcomme 1998, Gebler 2009, Lusk et al. 2011).
In total 17 fixed or mobile barriers (weirs, dams) are placed across the Blanice River. These barriers are not migration-permeable, with one exception. The river continuity is disrupted mainly by the Husinec Dam-lake (area 61 ha, backwater 3.5 km long, maximum 25.5 m deep). Below the dam, the river has a weir impassable for migrating aquatic animals. On the right bank a ground overgrown with deciduous trees and a part of a former oxbow connected to the river below the weir were available. Because of these conditions, a near-natural bypass was proposed as the most convenient solution.
'''Objectives'''
Restoring and preserving healthy populations and diversity of the original fish species in Blanice River by means of building a bypass.
'''Restoration measures'''
In 2002, a 35 m long bypass was built at the weir to allow upstream migration. It runs from the upper weir through natural terrain around the body of the weir and joins the river 20 metres downstream of the weir. The average gradient is 5%. Fig. 3 shows the placement of this near-natural bypass. At a medium flow rate (Q180), up to 250 l.s-1 flows through the bypass. The 2.5 m wide upper part of the bypass is a torrent fish pass with an inlet device placed upstream of the weir. The construction includes 9 stone sills for the necessary backwater, in which 7 to 16 cm wide gaps between the stones (boulders) enable
fish to swim through either at the bottom or below the water surface. Gravel and smaller stones on the bottom decrease the flow in the lower water layers. The sills differ no more than 15 cm in height and their depth ranges from 0.3 to 0.5 m. The lower part of the bypass is formed by the oxbow (which was first cleaned) with slowly flowing water. The width of the lower part ranges from 3 to 5 m and the gradient is only 2%, but a few stone sills form up to 1 m deep pools. In places over sand and gravel banks shoals have been formed by high-water flows.
'''Management measures'''
*Bypass maintenance after floods, in spring and autumn.
*Removal of sediments to keep the bypass clear.
*Seasonal monitoring of local fish fauna diversity in the bypass passable for migration.
'''Conclusions'''
The presence of fish in the bypass was monitored once a month during the year 2002 (except during ice cover in winter and high-water) to assess species diversity (Hartvich et al. 2004). This was done by damming up the inlet profile with a board to stop the stream, so that the fish present could be collected and the remaining ones caught with electric current. A small net was placed in the lower part to prevent the fish from escaping. The fish were measured using common ichthyologic methods and returned immediately.
The critically endangered Brook Lamprey (''Lampetra planeri'') and 13 species of six families were detected during the first monitoring period. According to ecological preference rheophilous (living in fast streams) species (8) were the most abundant, followed by eurytopic (5) and one limnophilous (living in standing water) species, namely Doctor-fish (''Tinca tinca''). The total fish fauna counted 610 individuals weighing 8,939 g in total. The most abundant species were ''Pseudorasbora parva'', ''Leuciscus leuciscus'', and ''Perca perca''. In the lower part of the bypass, a few individuals of the critically endangered European Crayfish (''Astacus astacus'') were found. In the following period(January to November 2003), the number of species grew to 18, including the newcomers ''Alburnus alburnus'', ''Barbus barbus'', ''Scardinius erythrophthalmus'' and ''Anguilla anguilla'' (Hartvich et al. 2004). The annual fish fauna abundance was 993 individuals and their biomass 7,876 g. The detected species assemblage corresponds, except for ''Cottus gobio'', to the results given by Krupauer (1984) for the Blanice River upstream of the Husinec Dam-lake, and later mentioned by Křížek et al. (2004) for the upper and central part of the Blanice River.
'''Other lessons learned and new perspectives'''
#Grassland and self-seeded trees (willows and aspen) permanently reinforce and protect the banks of the bypass against erosion. The open inlet device passes water level fluctuations into the bypass. High-water flows do not endanger the bypass construction. Loosely placed stones on the bypass banks slow down the flow, prevent lateral erosion and create shelter for fish. Coarse gravel on the bottom is an appropriate substrate for the settling of benthos.
#Monitoring results show that fish not only migrate through the bypass but also settle there for a certain period of time. The 18 species of fish and lamprey detected in the bypass correspond to the composition found in ichthyologic research conducted in the upper and central part of the Blanice River. Fish migration in the bypass takes place during the whole year, except when there is ice cover.
#Monitoring of bypass pass-ability not only provides ichthyologists, nature conservationists, water authorities, and designers and builders of fish passes with a lot of new information, but it also shows the real state of the fish fauna in river districts, especially in the case of functional passes such as the one at Bavorov. Public support
The bypass on the Blanice River was co-supported by the town council of Bavorov and by the Bavorov branch of the Czech Fishing Association. The bypass is open to everybody who is interested in it.
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'''Previous site use/issues'''
* Nature area owned by LB Newham (little known/used by local people)
* No access for wheelchairs
* Limited access points adding to ‘fear of crime’
* Ecologically and historically valuable site but no information for site users reed buting have been seen in the reeds adjacent to the site
* Lack of seating areas within site for users/local school groups +
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'''Previous site use/issues'''
* Terrestrial habitat with rank grassland and species poor scrubland.
* Plot of adjacent to Barking Creek, accessible by informal and underused riverside footpath.
* Blind spots within site (formed by sections of redundant fencing) lead to a raised ‘fear of crime’.
* Riverside footpath not suitable for wheelchairs.
* Concrete flood defence in poor condition needing replacing.
'''Enhancements'''
* Retreat and renewal of flood defences adapting to climate change by creating increased flood storage capacity and improved riverside and intertidal habitat. Reed bunting and sand martins have been seen in this area.
* Sand martin nesting tubes.
* Improved footpath, suitable for wheelchairs.
* Blind spots remove and the site opened up although reeds allowed establish to help protect the wildlife on the river. +
M
'''Previous site use/issues'''
* There was poor riverside habitat as the site was formed of concrete banks and concrete revetment. The site is above a tidal barrier but does receive tidal variations on spring tides.
* The seating area on the edge of Mill Pool and the River Roding was largely redundant and unused.
* The design of the site limits the views from the site.
* The site did not convey any understanding about historic importance of the Mill Pool to Barking.
'''Enhancements'''
* ’Terracing’ of existing concrete riverbank to create intertidal habitat. The terraces are back filled with an appropriate gravel substrate and clad with timber sourced sustainably.
* Redesign of riverside seating area to improve outlook and convey information about historic importance of the Mill Pool.
* Worked in collaboration with local authority and local artist to produce seating area design. +
B
'''Previous site use/issues'''
* underused and undervalued area of greenspace, owned by the Environment Agency, adjacent to the Barking Barrier.
* The terrestrial habitat consisted of species poor grassland with patches of scrub and Japanese knotweed. Areas which would have supported saltmarsh species were encased in riprap covered in bitumen and had be historically land raised.
* The foreshore in this area is important for overwintering birds such as teal, shelduck, tufted duck, wigeon, gadwell, shoveler, pintail, little grebe. Common whitethroat, sandmartins and linnet has been seen breeding in the area a pair of oyster catchers were also recorded breeding in 2000. Saltmarsh and mudflat UK BAP habitat is very important for these types of fauna and also flora.
* Barking Creek is recognised as a valuable feeding and refuge area for a variety of fish species, flounder, eel, smelt, sea bass in both their adults and juveniles life stages. These utilise the full range of sub, intertidal and saltmarsh habitats for foraging and refuge.
* There was limited amenity use, lack of seating areas, views from site obstructed by flood defences and no wheelchair access to site.
* Failing flood defences. +
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'''Site background
The River Wensum is a chalk SSSI and SAC river currently stated as being in unfavourable condition. Located to the southeast of the Norfolk town of Fakenham the meander loop at Great Ryburgh Common was bypassed in the 1950’s when the River Wensum was straightened, widened and deepened as part of a land drainage improvement scheme.
The river restoration work undertaken involved reinstating a former meander, increasing channel sinuosity and flow diversity. The work was part of the wider River Wensum Restoration Project.
'''Objectives
To re-instate the natural river form and function by re-connecting the old meander. It was designed so that at normal flows all the flow would go down the old meander and at high flow, part of the flow would be diverted into the straightened channel. To re-connect the old meander by removing the silt layer from the old channel whilst retaining the existing gravel substrate where it still existed.
'''Design
The old meander was carefully excavated leaving the riverbed gravels intact where they already existed. In addition new gravels were added to create shallow glides. Deeper pools were dug to provide refuge ares for fish and other aquatic species. The existing straightened channel was plugged such that in normal flow conditions, the river flows around the re-connected meander. The straightened channel therefore acts as a flood relief channel at times of high flow and as a quiet backwater during normal flow. In addition, channel narrowing was achieved by creating a bund along the line of the new bank, and this was covered with coir matting and was planted up with live plants.
'''Subsequent performance – RRC’s views (2011)
Eighteen months on, the site is fully vegetated and functioning well as a re-connected meander. The original gravel bed was exposed during excavation and the use of adaptive management allowed these original features to be
incorporated into the on-the-ground works. The Environment Agency OPS team was used to do the works as they had experience of doing similar work(at Bintree further down the catchment). Prior to re-meandering, the channel was straightened and over-wide. The project has recreated the natural chalkstream habitat, with pool and riffle sequences. The substrate now has
macrophytes growing along much of its length. By allowing high flows to pass down the old straightened channel the flood capacity has been increased, and during normal flows the old straightened channel acts as a backwater habitat.
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'''Site background'''
Before the regeneration of this site, this section of the Ravensbourne flowed through an area known as the Sundermead Estate. The river had been constrained within a narrow concrete channel as part of an historic
flood defence scheme. This, together with high steel railings and overgrown vegetation had resulted in a neglected river possessing little ecological or local community interest. The river restoration scheme
formed part of the 'Urban Renaissance in Lewisham' programme which aimed to create a new public open space within the Town Centre.
'''Objective'''
To remove the river from it’s concrete banks and create an attractive public open space.
'''Design'''
Following the preparation of design proposals and a full public consultation, a masterplan was developed for the whole site. The concrete walls of the river were removed and replaced with more natural re-graded banks interspersed with steps and wooden platforms to improve river bank access. A puddle –clay
liner was constructed to help restore flows. Gravels were introduced into the bed of the river. These were sized to ensure that they could move in the channel with respect to the flow conditions, thus creating natural habitat features for wildlife. Marginal areas were planted with native species such as Rush (Juncus effusus) and Yellow flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) whilst a wildflower mix was sown along the banks. An overflow storage area which retains water during high flows was designed into the scheme by lowering an open space alongside the river.
'''Subsequent Performance'''
Flood management within the channel should have been improved through a combination of making space for water by reprofiling the bank and creating additional storage on the floodplain. The area demonstrates how river restoration can be an integral part of a regeneration programme the helps to create a more attractive, diverse and accessible public open space with a natural river able to support a range of wildlife; mallards and moorhens have already been cited.
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'''The Nine Chalk Rivers project''' is a series of 16 restoration projects spread across nine unique chalk rivers flowing onto Norfolk’s north coast. The rivers face similar problems, most notably canalisation, disconnection from the floodplain, siltation, low flows and diffuse pollution. The projects are diverse, and include re-meandering, floodplain re-connection, silt and nutrient trapping and catchment management planning. Each project will improve the ecological health of the rivers and floodplains.
To deliver these projects, Norfolk Rivers Trust is working with landowners across Norfolk as well as the Environment Agency, Natural England, The University of East Anglia, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk Coast AONB, RSPB, The Wild Trout Trust, The River Glaven Conservation Group and various other partners.
'''Background to the project'''
The Norfolk River's Trust, The Norfolk Coast Partnership and Norfolk County Council put in a project bid to the Environment Agency Catchment Restoration Fund to look at improving 9 of Norfolk's chalk rivers. £1.3M was awarded towards the end of 2012. This is one of the largest of the awarded Environment Agency projects in the Country. The project involves practical on the ground river restoration work so some physical changes to the rivers will be seen relatively quickly.
The partnership Steering Group (Norfolk Coast Partnership, Norfolk Rivers Trust, Norfolk County Council, Environment Agency and the Norfolk Wildlife Trust) along with statutory organisations and local communities will guide the Nine Chalk Rivers Project.
The rivers include the Glaven, Stiffkey, Babingley, Gaywood, Hun, Mun, Ingol, Heacham and Burn. To begin with work will start on the Glaven, Stiffkey, Babingley and Gaywood and then it is hoped that further funding can be attained for the other 5 smaller rivers.
'''Description of Works'''
*Restoring hydrology – re-creating meanders in straightened rivers improves sediment transport and habitat diversity for fish and invertebrates, while re-connecting rivers to floodplains buffers flows, improves floodplain habitats for plants, insects and birds, prevents siltation and improves water quality.
*Silt trapping – trapping silt close to its source prevents it from smothering riverine habitats and allows farmers to re-use nutrient rich top-soils.
*Community Involvement – Norfolk Rivers Trust is involving communities in catchment management planning and project delivery through local conservation groups, community councils and stakeholder workshops.
'''How you can help'''
The long term aim is to create local groups that will take over management when the grant cash runs out. Local community support is crucial to the understanding of these rivers, therefore we want your views of the rivers. Where and what are the problems? What would make your local river function better? What would you like to see happen and how would you like to be involved?
Find out more
You can find regular updates as to what is happening on Twitter @9ChalkRivers or if you want to get involved you can contact the Community Involvement Officer by email gemma.clark@norfolk.gov.uk by telephone on 01553 778024 or by mobile on 07768 031629 your ideas and thoughts are really valued so please do not hesitate to contact us.
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'Pearls in Peril' is a LIFE + NATURE project co-funded by 22 organisations across Scotland, England and Wales. This exciting nationwide project will act to safeguard important populations of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera).
The project spans four years from 2012 to 2016. In that time, a wide range of conservation measures will be implemented in key river systems. The measures will aim to:
- RESTORE the habitat of freshwater pearl mussel and salmonids (salmon and trout);
- SECURE the long term survival of existing freshwater pearl mussel populations; and
- COMMUNICATE with local, national and international audiences to raise awareness of freshwater pearl mussel conservation issues.
Best practice methods will be used to secure freshwater pearl mussel populations and some of these actions include:
- Restore and improve riparian habitat by planting native trees and fencing riverbanks;
- Pearls In The Classroom - an education programme to raise awareness of the freshwater pearl mussel amongst children;
- Reduce diffuse pollution by ditch blocking, creating buffer strips and wetlands;
- Employ a riverwatch scheme to reduce the risk from wildlife crime;
- Encyst juvenile salmon with local pearl mussel larvae;
- Monitor water quality, habitat restoration, pearl mussel populations and host salmonids; and
- Raise awareness of freshwater pearl mussels and the project.
A total of 21 rivers across Britain will be involved, all of which are NATURA 2000 sites and are designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). In Scotland, these are the Rivers Dee, South Esk, Spey, Evelix, Naver, Borgie, Oykel, Fionaven, Abhainn Clais an Eas, Allt a'Mhuilinn, Ardvar & Loch a'Mhuilinn Woodlands, Inverpolly, Moidart, Kerry, Glen Beasdale, Ardnamurchan Burns, Rannoch Moor, North Harris, Moriston and Mingarry Burn on Mull. In England, the project will involve the River Ehen in Cumbria and in Wales, the Afon Eden in Snowdonia. +
L
1. Brief Outline of Scheme
The Little Don rises in the Peak District National Park and joins the River Don just south of Stocksbridge town, a river length of about 20km. Flow in the watercourses are heavily regulated and managed by three reservoirs and several smaller impounding weirs. The reservoirs are operated by Yorkshire Water, with Langsett and Midhope reservoirs being operated for water storage, and Underbank reservoir for a compensation flow release.
Langsett and Midhope reservoirs modify the downstream flow regimes by buffering the range and magnitude of flows. As a result the baseflow is lower than would be expected naturally and the timing and magnitude of autumn/winter high flows is dependent on the levels in the reservoirs during this time. A compensating flow is released from Underbank reservoir (the bottom reservoir of the group), although analysis of catchment inflows and rainfall patterns has shown this to be too high, a legacy of the industrial use of the Don catchment. Other Yorkshire Water reservoir compensation flow release trials have demonstrated that modifying flows to more naturally flow regimes can improve the quantity and diversity of the ecological community. The Little Don is defined as a Heavily Modified Water Body (HMWB) under the Water Framework Directive and assessed at moderate ecological potential, with an objective to improve to good ecological potential by 2027;
this WFD objective is the main driver for the scheme.
Barriers along the Little Don have been observed to significantly reduce ecological connectivity with large proportions of the watercourses under-used by trout and other fish. Whilst the barriers restrict the movement of coarse sediment, studies were inconclusive on the extent of the problem. Additional pressures within the catchment include water pollution (including minewater discharges) and invasive non-native species (such as the New Zealand mud snail).
2. How the scheme was developed
The Don Network plan originally included wide consultation, the outcomes of which included an action on the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water to investigate these pressures further. Funding has been sourced through the water industry National Environment Programme for action by Yorkshire Water to reduce the environmental pressures caused by the operation of the reservoirs, particularly to the flow regime of the Little Don.
A working group composed of representatives from the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water developed a range of options, focusing on confirmed pressures and those directly linked to the reservoirs and impoundments; flow regulation and barriers.
The Coal Authority led on plans for the construction of a minewater treatment plant.
The Environment Agency’s Yorkshire and North East regional fish pass prioritisation project identified a number of priority actions to improve fish passage. For example, installation of a fish pass on a weir used for industrial water supply would double the length of the Little Don accessible to fish from the River Don.
3. What the scheme will deliver
Action to improve flow regulation: These aim for the best possible flow regime downstream of the reservoirs without impacting on water supply. Yorkshire Water are appraising the costs and benefits of a range of options to provide more natural flows downstream of Langsett, Midhope and Underbank reservoirs.
Action to reduce barriers: Flow changes alone would not solve the problem as barriers would continue to limit the migration of fish and modify the flow character of impounded reaches along the Little Don. The working group developed a range of barrier mitigation measures to either remove the weirs or install fish passes where this was not possible. Fish passes for the reservoir dams have not been progressed as costs are significantly higher than benefits.
Action to improve water quality: Water pollution from minewater discharge between Langsett and Underbank reservoirs has been reduced through the construction of a minewater treatment plant by the Coal Authority. The Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, and Highways England are to trial a solution to deal with the small residual minewater discharge not currently being pumped through the Coal Authority’s treatment plant.
It is also expected that Yorkshire Water’s work with ‘Moor for the Future’ on grip blocking will further improve water quality.
The Don Network has actions in place to promote water quality solutions downstream of Underbank reservoir:
* Collaborative working with polluters and adoption of new techniques
* Raising awareness of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDs) and encouraging local authorities and developers to incorporate SUDs more consistently in new developments
4. Costs and benefits
The expected benefits of a more natural flow regime would be:
*An increase in the level of diversity and variability in both physical habitat and ecology.
*An increase in fish densities, growth rates, spawning and resilience.
*Improvement in longitudinal connectivity along a watercourse allowing fish to access areas that may have previously been under-used.
*Enhancement of physical processes along a watercourse, increasing scour, flushing deposited sediments downstream, and re-oxygenating gravels.
Mitigating the barriers is expected to have a range of benefits:
*Direct benefits to fish and other aquatic organisms by allowing free movement of populations
*Indirect benefits to plants and other aquatic organisms by naturalising in-channel habitats
*Improvements to flow patterns and a reduction in impoundment
*Improvements in the transport of sediment and a reduction in sediment accumulation upstream of the structure
*Restoration of natural processes, including erosion and deposition
Options appraisal identified that building a fish pass upstream of Langsett reservoir, was cost beneficial. Whilst quite a modest option compared to the range of measures assessed, this option was favourable since the fish pass would allow about 5 km of under-used habitat to be accessible to brown trout and other fish currently living in Langsett reservoir. This measure will be in place by 2020.
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1. The project was to restore a stretch of the River Glyme with the following objectives:
• Enhancing the channel and floodplain habitat diversity
• Re-grading banks and re-planting with native species where needed
• Form pool-riffle sequences, raise the river-bed and provide a good medium for spawning fish
• Manipulate spatial structure of the channel form & hydraulics across the flow range
• Increase diversity of floodplains habitat
• Improve habitat downstream at Woodstock Water Meadows (WWM)
• Increase community engagement
2. The restoration took place on the reach between Stratford Bridge (444,645 218,482) and Woodstock Water Meadows (444,933 218,004), a 5 Ha site between Old and New Woodstock owned by Woodstock Town Council.
3. The river restoration was completed in late 2015, with WWM habitat and community engagement on-going until November 2016.
4. Prior to around 1890 the River Glyme at this location had a sinuous course. It was then extensively straightened and its bed lowered. More recently, the main channel has been heavily maintained by dredging, leaving it over-wide, significantly incised and very uniform in both cross section and plan-form. The majority of the hard bed has been removed, with little gravel remaining in a clay and silt dominated substrate. The river is now largely disconnected from its immediate floodplain except in times of high flow. This section of river should support a thriving wild brown trout population as well as other species; the lack of suitable spawning substrate had led to limited recruitment in this species.
Increased sediment input and diffuse pollution from upstream (agricultural run-off) and the lack of connectivity with the flood plain have contributed to substantial siltation and associated water quality issues in the Blenheim Lake SSSI and World Heritage site downstream.
Physical manipulation of channel planform, bed levels and flow patterns was undertaken to enhance the channel habitat diversity. This was achieved through the introduction of locally quarried stone, overlain with gravel to provide optimum conservation benefit for a range of species and spawning/juvenile brown trout. The introduction of Large Woody Debris (LWD) will help to maintain these new areas of gravel.
Meanders were excavated, banks re-graded and arisings redistributed behind brushwood faggot revetments. In combination with the excavation of scrapes this serves to increase the diversity of floodplain habitats.
An ongoing programme of habitat maintenance and community engagement is being led at WWM in collaboration with the ECP, Woodstock town council, Blenheim Estates and other local community groups and is due to finish in November 2016.
Management included a video to raise awareness and engagement.
1.5 km from its outlet, the
Redon had been culverted for the purposes of a quarry.
The passage of the river through a concrete culvert
covering a 230 metre stretch prevents many of the fish
from the lake from swimming upstream, to an ideal
breeding ground. The quarry where the culvert is located is no
longer active, therefore 230 metres of the culverted river were reopened. In
order to diversify the environment, a meandering
bed was created. Plantation was used to protect the
banks and the longitudinal section was stabilised +
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1km River restoration - Flood risk management project with habitat enhancement. Mitigation for capital works on tumbling bay weir.
Reach enhancement through use of deflectors and tree works. Aims (improved flow, river restoration, creating a self sustaining channel). +
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2008-2013 (5 year programme of works)
http://www.fisheriesireland.ie/Projects/erep.html +
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30 years ago the side channel was divided by a rock embankment dam resulting in sediment build up and stopping the flow of water. As a result the unique habitats of the side channel and the island were being lost and the river was losing its healthy ecosystem.
The project aimed to restore the island’s natural floodplain forest and protect drinking water supplies by dredging the side channel, removing the dam to allow the free flow of water and relocating a major water pipe from the dam under the riverbed. Other restoration works included clearing invasive plant species such as box elder and replanting native trees such as silver poplar. Once the restoration works are completed it is hoped that native fish and bird species will return. It is also hoped that the restoration of Liberty Island, a Natura 2000 site, will encourage other similar projects along the Danube. In order to promote the benefits of restoration a nature trail was created, and field trips and scientific demonstrations have been given about Liberty Island.
The project has been carried out in collaboration with WWF Hungary, Municipality of Mohacs Town, Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation, Lower-Danube-valley Water Directorate, Danube Drava National Park Directorate, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary and Cargill.
Supported by Life+ the project is the first step in protecting numerous islands and side-channels on the Danube and restoring original water habitats.
Works involved: Removal of alien and invasive tree species. +
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<b>Background</b><br>
As part of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's 'Wessex Chalkstream Project' which promotes understanding and conservation on the Hampshire Avon, the Wild Trout Trust led a week of habitat enhancement work on the River Avon at Fifield near Netheravon.
This section of the Avon was once managed by the famous river keeper and author Frank Sawyer. During his time as head keeper for the Services Dry Fly Fishing Association (SDFFA), Frank oversaw the restoration of the river from a polluted, over-silted one, no-longer capable of supporting trout, towards a productive flowing river with a clean gravel bed. Frank's 'Great Clean Up', although not a complete success, led the way for future generations to improve river habitat.
<b>Restoration implemented</b><br>
Volunteers with the support of the Wild Trout Trust, two Wessex Chalkstream Project officers and the local Environment Agency contact, helped to introduce an abundance of woody material into the river, kicking flow about to create a more pronounced thalweg and helping diversify the habitat. By the end of the week, 500 metres of river habitat had been enhanced for £1000 plus the cost of a few chestnut stakes (a bargain at 3 times the price!). +