Ecological River Restoration

‘River restoration refers to a large variety of ecological, physical, spatial and management measures and practices. These are aimed at restoring the natural state and functioning of the river system in support of biodiversity, recreation, flood management and landscape development.’

Yorkshire’s hilly terrain ensures that there are many fast-flowing becks and rivers that tend to flood in times of rain, particularly in urban areas.  As dynamic systems, these water courses have potential for a wide range of habitats, however, many valleys have been straightened, cleared of vegetation and altered to ensure maximum speed of water flow to aid land drainage.  As urban development and water run-off has increased, the becks and rivers have become increasingly fast flowing and in many cases degraded with agricultural and human pollution.

Groundwork Yorkshire designs and develops a wide variety of riparian landscapes from city centre riverside areas, Drains in Hull to ecological lakes and becks.  Specialising in the design and treatment through ecological process, the return of habitats and biodiversity to woodlands, lakes, watercourses as well as slowing the flow of water run-off.  Manipulation of contours, working with native plants and encouraging public access in specific areas assist by encouraging an increase in flora and fauna.

Many of the processes involve the activity of interrupting secession or ecological development to ensure silt is removed from lakes and rivers, run-off is slowed by adding woody, branched bundles to slopes, incorporating leaky dams in becks, creation of wetlands, re-meandering of rivers, addition of riffles, pools and bars to add oxygen to the water, slow the flow and allow for introduction of native species. The excavation of detention basins, wetlands and scrapes to attenuate peak flow from rainfall, also allows filtering and sedimentation to take place contributing to water quality improvements.

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