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• Case study:Soaring connections: restoring people, wildlife & place  + (This is the start of a 6-year programme of … This is the start of a 6-year programme of flood risk management works within Leicester. The Soar is navigable in Leicester and as most work was undertaken to improve conveyance we were limited in what improvements to marginal habitat could be undertaken. Most work involved wetland creation within the river corridor and creation of backwaters. Going forward future flood schemes on the Soar tributaries should look at the in-channel and marginal habitat improvements which should help to have a greater impact on WFD classifications. </br></br>Leicester is home to surprising amount of protected species for an urban environment. A lot of monitoring work was undertaken and careful consideration given to this during construction. This is something that will feed into future work to ensure that new foraging habitat created is not affected by subsequent work.</br></br>Leicester has a very diverse community which speak a large number of languages and for many English isn't their first language. A lot of the information we are trying to convey is in English which means that especially in tackling issues around diffuse pollution the message may be lost. We are looking at ways we can be more effective in getting the message out by doing work with schools and community groups who can then pass the message on.y groups who can then pass the message on.)
• Case study:Fish pass in Las Librerías weir on the Guadiela River  + (This permeabilization represent an improvement in the longitudinal connectivity of this river reach, however it is considered necessary to permeabilize the weir located 3 km downstream in order to achieve a more complete reconnection.)
• Case study:Unit 3a – Hurst Bridge 2013  + (This project did pose some issues during i … This project did pose some issues during its delivery. The extent of the berm creation and bed reprofiling was limited due to the presence of overhead power lines. A safe working method was implemented by the Ops Delivery team. Initially the excavator to be used had an 8m reach; this was also used on the North Channel job. However this reach was wider and to maximise the benefits of the project a long reach had to be brought to site. This came at additional cost but enabled effective delivery of the project. The long reach machine was also used on a few parts of the North Channel project which were out of reach form the original machine. The tree works described above were also able to be carried out with the larger machine.to be carried out with the larger machine.)
• Case study:Unit 4 - North Channel Phase 1  + (This project did pose some issues during i … This project did pose some issues during its delivery. The generally narrow nature made any changes made to the bed more sensitive than in other reaches of the Frome. The existence of gravels within the river bed was not as extensive as first thought. There were sections that were mostly clays which made it harder to reprofile effectively. The decision made on site was to minimise or exclude any works to the bed if gravel quantities were low.</br>The banks of the channel were high and steep; they were also quite soft so when trenches were dug to install LWD structures the banks in places seemed quite fragile. This limited the angle which could be dug and did restrict the use of this technique in places on the reach.</br>The benefit of adding value as described above cannot be under estimated. As described it can give a project additional materials (tree limbs etc) but can also gain acceptance of the project by other stakeholders such as the tenant farmer or river keeper. These can be achieved with minimal additional cost to the project.th minimal additional cost to the project.)
• Case study:Restoration of Wandle Park  + (This project had a range of key challenges … This project had a range of key challenges that were overcome through the design process, including:</br>• The restoration of natural hydromorphological processes whilst minimising the potential for large scale channel migration. This was resolved through the design of a multi-stage channel which allows the low flow channel to adjust within a more permanent high flow bank line. Seeded gravels were also allowed to rework naturally to create a wide range of in-channel habitat niches. The two stage channel safely accommodates both the low dry weather flows and the high flood flows.</br>• Ensuring that the river could be re-meandered through contaminated land at the site without increasing remobilisation of in situ contaminated sediments and leachate. An uncontaminated capping layer using uncontaminated soils was used to protect the environment and park users from contaminated materials. </br>• Minimising the need for expensive off-site disposal of contaminated materials and the need to import uncontaminated soils for capping. Soils on the site were categorized as contaminated and less contaminated (i.e. with contaminant concentrations below hazardous levels), and the former were used as a base layer for landscape features within the park. These were capped with less contaminated soils from the site to prevent exposure to the wider environment.prevent exposure to the wider environment.)
• Case study:Wallasea (North) Managed Realignment  + (This project has benefited from detailed i … This project has benefited from detailed investigative work and consultations that were undertaken as part of the site selection, scheme design and impact assessment work as well as for the preparation of the monitoring programmes. However, the need to find such a large site that met all the requirements was a long-term and costly exercise. There has been a full time project manager with supporting teams including representatives from statutory and non-statutory authorities and these aspects have enabled problems to be foreseen and rapidly addressed. The team approach has also allowed innovative new design elements to be identified which should provide high value at low cost (e.g. the island features in the site and a new ‘heterogenic’ borrow-dyke design).</br>The initial monitoring is still ongoing, and the full results from the first five-year monitoring programme have not been reported yet. However, from the interim progress reports that have been produced by ABPmer and Jacobs up to the end of 2010 (i.e. up to four years after the breaching), the following general observations have been made:</br>Breaches and channels: The breaches and channels through them are very stable which confirms the effectiveness of the approaches that were taken to design them.</br>Accretion: Within the site, sediment accretion has occurred relatively consistently and evenly due to the slow flows and stable internal creek/channel configurations. In the first year after breaching (2006 to 2007), accretion was around 10cm (of which about 50% is considered internally relocated materials and 50% externally imported sediments). In each subsequent year, the annual accretion is considered to be predominantly related to imported sediments and amounted to 3 to 5cm on average (specifically 5cm in both 2008 and 2009, and 3cm in 2010).</br>Invertebrates: The accretion and the relatively stable and depositional nature of the environment has helped to promote rapid benthic invertebrate colonisation of the mudflat (approx 80ha in extent). After the first, year invertebrates abundance was at 20,000 organisms/m2 and has ranged between 10,000 and 20,000 organisms/m2 in each successive year. The benthic assemblages have been dominated by large numbers of mud snail (Hydrobia ulvae) and although the patterns of organism recruitment are clearly complex and variable, there is evidence that the assemblages are maturing over time. This is indicated by the bivalve species becoming an increasingly important component over time (representing 2%, 4%, 14% and 26% of the populations in each successive year).</br></br>Birds: The bird monitoring (by CJT Ecology) shows that over the course of the four completed years of the monitoring programme the site has been supporting very good numbers of waterbirds. This was the case even from the first winter survey (2006/07) when the site supported around 7,000 waterbirds and included good numbers (i.e relatively high in a national or international context) of many key species such as shelduck, dunlin, black-tailed godwit, ringed plover and golden plover. In the following two winters the value of the site continued to improve as the abundance of waterbirds increased to around 10,000 and then 12,000. For the most recent winter (2009/10) however the overall abundance levels declined slightly. These broad trends are strongly influenced by some major inter-annual changes in the abundance of certain species which, in turn, are likely to be influenced by the weather conditions (e.g. particularly bad weather conditions were experienced in 2009/10 when compared with other years) and/or a range of other factors that influence the natural dynamics of bird populations (e.g. breeding success, timing of migrations, national population trends and inter-annual or inter-generational changes in roosting/feeding site selection). It is of note however, that the numbers of birds using the site as a roost reduced in 2009/10 while the number of birds feeding increased. This may indicate that the habitat and the relationship with migratory birds is still maturing and developing or that under adverse weather</br>conditions the site’s value as a feeding site as opposed to a roosting site increases.</br>Saltmarsh: Saltmarsh coverage of elevated areas of the sites (approx 25ha in extent) has occurred relatively rapidly. On average plant coverage (i.e the amount of marsh plant compared to bare mud at any given location) has rapidly increased from less than 1% in 2007 to 6% in 2008, 60% in 2009 and finally at or around 100% in 2010.009 and finally at or around 100% in 2010.)
• Case study:Experimental flood in the Pisuerga river  + (Thus, the experimental flood release showe … Thus, the experimental flood release showed limited geomorphic</br>benefit, despite reaching (or even overtopping) the channel banks. Most</br>changes were related to the transport of fine sediments, but they did not</br>enhance habitat variation, or create new fluvial forms. Cebrián et al.</br>(2015) suggested that the results may have been associated with</br>extensive modification of the channel after six decades of dam management.</br>Bed incision or unbalanced river morphology could be hampering</br>the geomorphic influence of ordinary flows, requiring higher flows than</br>theorised to enhance sound morphological and ecological changes.ound morphological and ecological changes.)
• Case study:East Devon Diffuse Pollution Project  + (Timing of the project - advice would have been more beneficial if delivered during 2015 earlier in the season. Also, the length of the project limits the scope of work which can be carried out.)
• Case study:Re-establishing a natural water flow level in the "Mølleåen" river system  + (To be used as a reference in river restoration science on how to re-establish a natural flow regime in other European river systems near urban areas.)
• Case study:Upper Witham Restoration  + (To get maximum benefit from projects, in a … To get maximum benefit from projects, in areas with less constraints, we needed to look wider than interventions focused just within the channel and consider the floodplain as well. Further learning for individual projects can be found in the project specific case studies.ound in the project specific case studies.)
• Case study:River Glyme Stratford Restoration  + (Too soon to say - this section will be updated when monitoring reults have been evaluated.)
• Case study:R Derwent Abutment & Buttress Removal  + (Undertake a Level 2 archaeological survey prior to demolition Ensure landowners and fishery owners are on board in the early stages Evaluate likely channel impacts from proposed modifications prior to demolition so no significant supprises)
• Case study:LIFE Segura Riverlink (Through rivers)  + (Upon completion of the project, the follow … Upon completion of the project, the following results have been listed:</br></br>+ More than 10,000 fish are using the fish passages. 80% of fishes which try to use the vertical-slot fishway achieves it, 50% does it in less than half an hour.</br></br>+ First weir removal within the Segura Basin</br></br>+ Volunteer collaboration and the landstewardship scheme are essential for the achievement of a favorable development of the riparian vegetation. In case of volunteers, thanks to its implication in plantation and refered to landowners for their commitment to properly mantain riversides and to avoid the development of alien species spots as in the case of Arundo Donax.</br></br>+ Results obtained by the removal of Arundo Donax have been diverse, depending on the area and the technique applied. </br></br>+ Plantation has been more effective for willows (Salix sp), poplars (Populus sp.), elms (Ulmus minor), mastic trees (Pistacia lentiscus) and rosebay (Nerium oleander). </br></br>+ A proper implementation of the plantations, a good size of the holes, the location of each plant and the time of plantig are essential for the succes of the works.</br></br>+ One of the most succesful achievements has been giving visibility to the problem and to the project and the social awareness about it.project and the social awareness about it.)
• Case study:River Irwell Restoration Project  + (Utilise the material within the channel where possible to reduce the costs and impacts of importing foreign material.)
• Case study:Reest  + (Water board Drents Overijsselse Delta obse … Water board Drents Overijsselse Delta observes that it is important to plan and time maintenance well and to communicate well with water managers. Most notably, the developing vegetation caused the water to smell when water levels were high, so that weeds had to be cut along the entire stream.eds had to be cut along the entire stream.)
• Case study:Tidal Dee Love my Estuary  + (Water pollution is a difficult topic to en … Water pollution is a difficult topic to engage and enthuse members of the public about. More people were engaged about the topic when we held stands at already existing events that people would be going to rather than hoping people would attend an event specifically held by this project. We found that making the events aimed at homeowners targeted to families meant that more people attended and we could discuss general water management and water pollution with the adults whilst the children did craft activities. Relating water pollution to wildlife on the estuary (which is a prominent feature locally) meant it was easier to engage members of the public about the topic. </br></br>The walkover surveys were a success in gathering information to inform future delivery projects and in engaging partner organisations in Water Framework Directive project delivery.</br></br>The quality of the Pollution Prevention Pack was highly regarded by partners including stakeholders from other Catchment Partnerships. Enthusiasm for the packs has come from stakeholders in Devon, Gloucestershire, Northumberland, Derbyshire, Sussex, Shropshire and Bedfordshire. We know of two organisations from neighbouring Catchment Partnerships that are making minor amendments to the electronic version so they can use them locally.onic version so they can use them locally.)
• Case study:Hoveton Wetlands Restoration Project  + (We can provide data to NE to support and inform restoration works. We will continue to work with partners to improve WFD status.)
• Case study:Wild Wylye Phase 1  + (We did not encounter any major issues. Yes … We did not encounter any major issues. Yes there were small hiccups during the delivery side of things (wrong gravel delivered, last-minute change of contractor), but not something that truly endangered the project.</br></br>The approach we took - project delivery mainly by volunteers - was so successful that we will endeavour to make that an important part from all future projects.n important part from all future projects.)
• Case study:Stroud Rural Sustainable Drainage Project  + (We have learned a number of lessons: 1. Im … We have learned a number of lessons:</br>1. Importance of Bottom up approach and community support for Natural Flood Management. It is impossible to undertake this work on the scale needed to make a difference to both natural processes or flood risk if widespread community support is not given.</br>2. We think it is important to start work quickly to create momentum and inspire communities that the approach is feasible rather than theoretical.</br>3. Even small interventions can make a difference quickly in a degraded stream system, creating habitat complexity, refugia, and allowing light into a heavily shaded area.</br>4. Use local contractors to increase buy-in and capacity for undertaking works.</br>5. Start at the most upstream location feasible and work your way downstream. Working on smaller water courses has less risk and less requirement for modelling and feasibility work.rement for modelling and feasibility work.)

• Case study:Delivering Multiple Benefits for Water on Foston Brook  + (We have yet to review the lessons learnt.)

• Case study:Restoring sea-trout and salmon habitat in Aurlandselva  + (What we have learned so far is the importance of having reliable discharge data, and also the need to target monitoring to measure any specific restoration work being carried out.)
• Case study:Martins River Island  + (When adding gravels to the river bed to pr … When adding gravels to the river bed to previously dredged sectiosn be aware ofg the imapct this may have on flood connection during higher flows. Follwing the addition of gravel the two following winters have experienced very high flwos whith significant prolonged out of bank flows for severals months each winter. In this case thelandowner was ok with this but in other projects this may have become a significant issue. this may have become a significant issue.)
• Case study:Belton Floodplain Reconnection and River Restoration  + (When planning a large-scale project of thi … When planning a large-scale project of this nature, the first consideration should be what is the lowest cost and least disruptive way of achieving the objectives. Previous habitat works have focussed on lowering the floodplain to meet the water surface. This is often costly with excess spoil to move and spread and has a high initial impact on site both ecologically and aesthetically. It can also be very effective to work up projects in several phases over several years to allow interventions to be in and establish e.g channel narrowing followed by gravel introduction.narrowing followed by gravel introduction.)
• Case study:Woughton on the Green bank stabilization  + (While the project was successful at stabil … While the project was successful at stabilizing the bank where it was most at risk (i.e. steep and close to public footpath), the bank poaching caused by dogs has just moved to another location. This should be considered in any similar project that seeks to restore bank that is deteriorating as a result of livestock or recreational activity. Consider where dogs or livestock will next enter the river, and consider whether the river at that point will be sensitive to the pressure. Are there any other unstable banks or important habitats such as spawning gravels that may be impacted? Consider whether fencing or formal drinking bathing points may be required.l drinking bathing points may be required.)
• Case study:Slow the Flow, Broadland Rivers, Norfolk  + (With close liaison with permitting and enforcement colleagues it is essential to apply the relevant legislation appropriately. This is used as a pilot scheme for other projects which are linked with WWF/Waterlife/Coca Cola over the next 3 years.)
• Case study:The San Marcos weir removal  + (With this action, an extraordinary flood w … With this action, an</br>extraordinary flood was</br>prevented (the year after</br>the dam removal) that</br>would have flooded part</br>of the city of León.</br></br>The realization of this</br>removal in an urban area</br>is a great success since it</br>increases the awareness</br>of the society because</br>they will demand this type</br>of actions when seeing the</br>results.</br></br>The location of the weir</br>near a bridge forced to</br>use more costly removal</br>techniques, which</br>increased the final price of</br>the project. increased the final price of the project.)
• Case study:Houghton 'trout stream' enhancements  + (Wood for construction of deflectors was so … Wood for construction of deflectors was sourced locally and work was undertaken by hand. Therefore the size of deflectors were limited to what could be manoeuvred by hand. Despite their size, careful consideration of the prevailing flow and sediment conditions meant they could be placed to achieve optimum benefit.</br></br>In November 2014 some of the wooden posts, used to hold deflectors in place, had to be replaced. The posts were 75 mm diameter and it is thought that the staples and screws used to secure wire to these posts were too large, causing the post to be weakened and split under load. We have since replaced posts with 20 mm re-bar drilled through the deflectors. Post diameter and staple size should be considered when planning how to secure LWD.onsidered when planning how to secure LWD.)
• Case study:River Slea Rehabilitation  + (Work could not be carried out in section 3 … Work could not be carried out in section 3 due to the firmness of the riverbed. It is reccomended in the future that the firmness of the riverbed should be tested to ensure habitat improvement works can be carried out. </br>Install coir matting vegetation at the same time as installing brushwood, we had to rely on individual plug plants when planting. Although plugs are cheaper than matting.. Although plugs are cheaper than matting.)
• Case study:Cain weir removal  + (Working with a local contractor Seed and Spur, we were able to complete the works within the timescale and under budget of £750 in addition to SRT staff costs to prepare the consents, engage the business and monitor the work.)
• Case study:Lower River Roding Regeneration Project  + (You can set back flood defences even in highly constrained locations. In particular the A13 site is located next bridge supporting a major road into London. The steel sheet piling has been removed and intertidal banks have been restored.)
• Case study:Greenwich Peninsula  + (cost neutral)
• Case study:Environmental design Mandalsvassdraget  + (expected soon...)
• Case study:Noard-Fryslân Bûtendyks Managed Realignment Scheme  + (implementation was delayed by one year due to difficulties with obtaining permits (due to objections from the local community). It Fryske Gea had to go to court to obtain the necessary permits (personal communication, It Fryske Gea).)
• Case study:River Cole- Life Project  + (• Engaging the local community is critical … • Engaging the local community is critical </br>• In these early days of river restoration the project showed what could be expected from a restoration project and how it develops (might be different from anticipated) – this needs to be built into decision making process</br>• It is important to do a formal long-term management plan, and have a cooperating (and stable) land owner</br>• The project showed a whole suite of demonstration techniques (included in the Manual of River Restoration Techniques http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_manual.php)</br>• The project clearly showed the complexity of a linear system (compared with pond), and that it's difficult to distinguish success between different components</br>• The project gave a big boost to river restoration in the UK and showed that it is possible to do “large scale” (for that time) projects do “large scale” (for that time) projects)
• Case study:Whit Beck River Restoration Project  + (• Need for guaranteed funding over the lif … • Need for guaranteed funding over the life of the project (year to year) – possible delays</br>• The need to be flexible, projects drop out (cost implication) prior to agreements being signed</br>• Need to confirm ownership and vested interest in land (e.g. pension fund / banks / trusts etc)</br>• Valley bottom land is vital for the farming business to succeed in upland areas</br>• Complications caused by multiple landowners – e.g. access provision (cost implications)</br>• Still belief in farming community that the continued maintenance of watercourses are vital</br>• Agricultural schemes can be inflexible and can result in increased costs & complexity</br>• Disturbance payments may be necessary as a form of inducement and to cover period of construction and recovery (short and long term losses)</br>• Need to comply with State Aid rules</br>• Constraints and compromises – they will significantly affect the detailed design (e.g. agreeing route of new channel with landowners, footpath temporary closures / re-routing etc)</br>• Question of liability for new channel once handed back to landowner</br>• Scale of engineering required in new channel design and at point of break out</br>• The need for sufficient mixed bed substrate to enable natural processes to sort and deposit</br>• The necessity for appropriate land licence agreements and construction contracts to protect all parties</br>• Planning permission (National Park) – could be significant delay and is an additional cost</br>• Flood risk (significant flooding in 2005 and 2009) – may require detailed flood risk assessment and associated public consultation (takes time)</br>• Weather conditions during construction (delays) and land area required for de-watering (potentially additional costs and risk)</br>• Commuted sum required for new bridge construction under roads</br>• Demand for public access to site once scheme completed</br>• Need for future monitoring (harder to secure funding for)</br>• Need a means to access funding for any unforeseen future liabilities funding for any unforeseen future liabilities)
• Case study:River Don Restoration project  + (• Planning process – Getting in at early e … • Planning process – Getting in at early enough stage in order to help developer understand how River Restoration could benefit them & their site. Setting up early meetings with dev & work with Local Authorities assisted with this.</br>• Permitting process - understanding this complex process was a challenge and helping developers to apply. Engaging the appropriate people helped with this.</br>• Watervoles – Concern over temporary damage to WaterVole habitat. Short term loss/long term gain</br>• Land ownership – challenges leading to restriction in where River Restoration could take place. Overcame this issue by presenting case studies from River Restoration Centre website & talking with developers consultants who were designing development sites.pers consultants who were designing development sites.)
• Case study:Pearls in Peril LIFE+ GB Project - River Dee  + (• Solid pre-project ground work is crucial … • Solid pre-project ground work is crucial to ensure project targets are realistic and efforts are concentrated where needed. Similarly, it is important to have good local networks & connections for project officers to contact and work with land managers</br></br>• Reliance on external funding (i.e. SRDP) for implementation was an issue: the project had no control over how this funding is allocated. As the farmers had to apply for and deliver the works, they had to take all the risks associated with delivery, which caused some reluctance to participate. </br></br>• Scoping of barriers long before implementation, such as conflicting land designations, pre-existing management restrictions , other biodiversity and archaeology interest is very important to limit snags during delivery.</br></br>• Where works were carried out using project funds, it would have been beneficial to provide contractors with templates of the information required during the procurement process, to allow them to meet the mandatory requirements more easily.o meet the mandatory requirements more easily.)
• Case study:Historic Mill Restoration Project  + (• Taking into account the historic context of the site, the project was delivered sensitively. • The legacy of the project will benefit wildlife and people in a number of ways (access to nature, recreation).)