20. Restoring the river at Castle Farm

Theme: Ecology and management

Objective:

  • Increase the amount and quality of in-channel, bankside and floodplain habitat

Project description

Small-scale river restoration to improve the ecology and resilience of the River Lea.

The Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are worked in partnership with the owner of Castle Farm, to plan and deliver a number of small river restoration projects, following recommendations outlined in the Castle Farm Management Plan (updated in 2018).

During winter 2019, a number of bankside willows were re-pollarded to increase the amount of light reaching the river, allowing water plants to thrive.

Coir rolls were also installed along 20m of river margin, to create a soft edge to the bank and help protect it from erosion. This also benefits wildlife in the area which can use the vegetation cover to move and shelter in.

 

Project lead: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Project partners: Local landowner and volunteers
Funding source: Thames Water, further funding sought
Project start: 2019
Project end: 2021
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting.