This project in the Swindale Valley, within the Lake District National Park was designed to renaturalise a section of drain to slow the flow of water and deliver multiple benefits to conservation and people.
The 500m stretch of drain was previously dug in an effort to speed the removal of water from the valley, however it is now known that straight channels like this one increase downstream flood risk by quickly flushing a greater amount of water downstream into connected river systems. The project followed the larger Swindale Beck restoration completed in 2016, which re-meandered the main historically straightened channel and improved the quality of water at source for people and wildlife.
Ebsford were appointed contractor for the multi-partner effort between the RSPB, landowner United Utilities, Environment Agency and environmental consultancy Aqua UoS.
This flexible partnership approach allowed Ebsford to respond quickly to the needs of the clients on site and quickly make any necessary adaptations to the design throughout the scheme, further enhancing new and existing features.
Working close to this SSSI meant a requirement for low impact solutions. Following fish rescue and with sediment entrapment mats downstream, Ebsford used minimal low impact machinery to create a new sinuous meandering channel to divert the flow of water. In addition, a series of new ponds and wetlands were created to provide new habitat for wildlife and further hold back water for the benefit of those downstream.
The spoil won from the creation of the new channel was reused on site to infill areas of flooding on the adjacent hay meadows. This not only brough benefits to the habitat the meadow provides but would also improve future crop for the residing farmer, further proving how nature and conservation can work hand in hand - An important shared sentiment for Ebsford, the Environment Agency and the RSPB whose aims are to put the environment and communities at the heart of everything they do.
Immediately upon completion, the benefits of the work were seen as the flow quickly adapted to the new landscape. Nature has responded positively to the new features and the land has rapidly recovered.
Lee Schofield, Site Manager at RSPB Haweswater said, “This new phase of river restoration work adds even more healthy habitat to the valley of Swindale, where we have already worked successfully with United Utilities, the Environment Agency and Natural England to enhance the area for wildlife over recent years. This new project has created more than half a kilometre of new, meandering channel as well as wetlands and ponds that will support a broad range of wildlife, from dragonflies and amphibians, to dippers and Atlantic salmon.
