Edit project overview: Case study:Source to Sea Programme – 3. Upper Wenning Restoration

Please enter a description of the project: River Wenning is a tributary of the River Lune, and is one of the best sea trout rivers in the country. In recent years sea trout catches have been inexplicably low off Scottish and Irish coasts, which are now believed to be mirrored in the River Wenning numbers. The Upper River Wenning and most of its tributaries have been extensively modified over the course of the last 150 years and all have lost much of their natural character. Their ability to support sea trout, salmon, brown trout, and many other species of wildlife (otter, kingfisher, dipper etc.) has been compromised. Some of the issues leading to this decline together with remedial actions are: • Natural meanders have gone and been replaced by straight, featureless sections that resemble muddy field drains; • In the same areas it is clear that the river has been dredged as much of the natural bed has been dug out and been piled up on the banks. As a consequence the gravel depth is shallow and salmonids struggle to find suitable locations to breed; and • Almost all bankside vegetation has gone and what was once a key salmonid nursery area for both the Wenning and the Lune has been sacrificed for land drainage to improve farm yield. This project is designed to raise the WFD classification of the Upper Wenning tributaries, (all currently “moderate”) to good and hence raise the classification of the Upper Wenning itself from moderate to good. The work includes buffer-stripping to reduce diffuse pollution (Fen Beck, Crook Beck, Clapham Beck, Austwick Beck, Keasden Beck and the Wenning) and the removal of a manmade weir on Kettles Beck to open access of 5 miles to migratory fish. It also includes tree planting on Clapham Beck and the creation of spawning side channels on Keasden Beck. Community Involvement - Engagement activities will include practical volunteering activities like tree planting, and awareness-raising through media and face-to-face contact.

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