Edit project overview: Case study:River Soar fish refuge and wetland scrape

Please enter a description of the project: This was a partnership project to create a fish refuge at Cossington Meadows, to boost the number of fish in the River Soar and thereby improve its ecological condition. Additional biodiversity benefits were achieved by the creation of a wetland scrape. Significant modification of the River Soar by dredging and straightening to aid drainage and navigation has resulted in a loss of floodplain connectivity. This has lead to a loss of backwaters and other wetland habitats which in turn has impacted the species that rely on those habitats to survive. WFD failures in the River Soar have been partially attributed to a lack of suitable fish habitat. Creation of a fish refuge area is expected to contribute towards improvements in the Fish element. Bank reprofiling of Hobley Lake to create an island. The EA and LRWT plan to continue to deliver improvements in WFD and provide wider biodiversity benefits.

Monitoring surveys and results: The wetland scrape has created 0.8 hectares of priority habitat and expected to attract additional priority species. Successfully created new habitats that will have an immediate ecological benefit to the overall biodiversity of the site. Interpretation boards placed along the public footpath adjacent to the site will help to inform the wider community about the habitats created and why this work is so important.

Lessons learnt: Ensure that all soil testing is undertaken months ahead of any scheduled groundwork.