40. Cedar Close Weir Bypass Channel

Theme: Flow; Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

Our preferred option to achieve the objectives of the project is a bypass channel within Millmead open space. This will follow the course of a relic channel, rejoining the river immediately downstream of the weir.

 The main section leading from the upstream end will be designed to appear as natural as possible. Banks will have a natural gradient where possible, and the bed of the stream will be lined with gravels. There will be occasional pools and boulders to create diverse flow conditions and to aid the movement of fish, and the banks will be planted with native bankside plants.

 A short second section adjacent to the weir will be more engineered, incorporating a technical fish pass and an eel pass. The fish pass uses baffles to create flow conditions which fish can move through on a relatively steep slope. The incorporation of a fish pass into the design enables the remainder of the bypass to have much more natural characteristics.

 In association with the bypass channel construction and as part of wider habitat improvements we also propose some thinning of trees along the riverbank within the open space to allow more light to reach the river and further contribute to the diversity of habitats within the channel and along the riverbanks.

1. Invasive Non-Native Species Control

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

This project aims to eradicate invasive non-native species (INNS) from the catchment. Read more ...

39. River Beane Enhancements at Waterford Marsh

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

This is a partnership project between the Environment Agency and Countryside Management Service (Hertfordshire County Council) to improve the condition of the River Beane through Waterford Marsh. Read more ...

36. Fine Sediment Investigation

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; Status and monitoring

An investigation will be commissioned to understand the spatial and temporal variation in fine sediment inputs to the River Beane, the sources of fine sediment, their ecological impacts and possible measures to rectify. Read more ...

35. Water Vole Reintroduction Project

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; Status and monitoring

This project will investigate options and carry out the reintroduction of water voles to the River Beane. Read more ...

34. Water vole habitat suitability survey

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; Status and monitoring

The length of the River Beane is to be surveyed to identify suitable areas for water vole reintroductions as part of the Water Vole Reintroduction Project. Read more ...

33. Mink Control

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; Status and monitoring

Montior and control invasive American mink on the River Beane as part of the Water Vole Reintroduction Project. Read more ...

32. Weir Bypass at The Rookery

Theme: Flow; Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

Will bypass a 2m weir with planform restoration upstream to create habitat diversity. Bank re-profiling on the lower reaches of Stevenage Brook. Read more ...

31. Whitehall Re-meandering

Theme: Flow; Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

to return the Beane back to its original channel. Read more ...

29. Habitat enhancement at Frogmore Hall

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This is a potential habitat enhancement project at Frogmore Hall, just downstream of Whitehall pumping station. Read more ...

38. Riparian Rights and Responsibilities

Themes: People

This project aims to improve riparian landowner understanding of their rights and responsibilities and stimulate action for the river. Read more ...

28. River restoration at Whitehall

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This section of Beane is suffering from the damaging effects of over-abstraction and lack of suitable management in the past.  This project aims to enhance this degraded section of the river and improve it for wildlife and people.  Read more ...

27. Feature film - the River Beane!

Themes: People

A film charting the River Beane's past glories, its present condition and local people's hopes for the river in the future is being produced. Read more ...

26. Riverfly Monitoring on the Beane

Themes: Status and monitoring

Establishing Riverfly Monitoring on the River Beane. Read more ...

25. Establishing native bankside vegetation

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This project aims to encourage local people and landowners to remove invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, and replace it with a variety of native bankside vegetation. Read more ...

37. Catchment Sensitive Farming - County Wide

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

Helping farms to play a key role in cleaning up rivers and streams. Read more ...

20. Aston Brook re-meandering

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To re-meander and restore a section of Aston Brook which has historically been straightened. Read more ...

18. Weir removal at Cromer

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To remove a weir, which will enhance the river’s ecological health Read more ...

15. Influencing local planning policy

Theme: Flow; People

This project aims to advocate the issue of water efficiency to be recognised by forward planners, and water efficiency policies to be incorporated into their strategic plans. Read more ...

21. Form and habitat improvements

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To carry out channel form and habitat improvements on the Stevenage Brook. Read more ...

6. Restoration of Watton Millpond

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

To restore the old millpond and create a community nature reserve and picnic area. Read more ...

24. Hertford Weirs - Enhancing Fish Passage

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

This project aims to improve fish and eel passage along the River Lea and River Beane through Hertford. Read more ...

23. SUDS and greenspace in Stevenage

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This project aims to establish a sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) and an area of urban greenspace in the heart of Stevenage. Read more ...

22. Wetland restoration at Hook's Cross

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

This project aims to enhance the river and its floodplain in this area, restoring a small wetland area by a variety of measures. Read more ...

19. Stevenage Golf Course

Themes: Flow

To reduce the amount of abstracted groundwater used by the golf course, and to provide them with an alternative source. Read more ...

13. Restoration of ponds and wetland

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To create a series of ponds and restore wetland habitat adjacent to Aston Brook. Read more ...

12. Gully clearance in Stevenage

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

This project aims to ensure that gullies in Stevenage are not a major source of pollution and sediment for the Stevenage Brook, a major tributary of the River Beane. Read more ...

8. Channel restoration

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To lower a weir, increase the variability of flow, narrow the channel and improve the in-stream habitat Read more ...

5. Bringing light to the river

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This project aims to increase the levels of light reaching the river, and increase the visibility of the river for the public Read more ...

1. Hartham Common rivers hub

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This project aims to capitalise on the key strategic location of Hartham Common as a public park within the county town of Hertford, with excellent public accessibility to the Beane and Mimram confluence. The project will utilise the site’s facilities to encourage exploration of the wider catchment, and to develop opportunities for community involvement and learning. Read more ...

16. Restoration of Stevenage Brook

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife

To restore the Stevenage Brook, a major tributary of the River Beane. The Brook flows through the centre of Stevenage and contributes a large amount of the total water in the Beane. Read more ...

14. Increasing water efficiency in Stevenage

Theme: Flow; People

Increasing water efficiency in Stevenage Read more ...

11. Key Stage 2 'rivers' curriculum tie-in

Themes: People

This project aims to increase awareness of the Beane and the impact of Stevenage on the river. 'Rivers' is part of the Year 5 Geography curriculum so it is a perfect tie-in. Read more ...

10. Minimise abstraction from Whitehall pumping station

Theme: Flow; People

Abstraction from Whitehall pumping station is devastating the Beane. This project aims to lobby and campaign for the closure of the pumping station, stopping the abstraction and thus restoring flow to the upper river. Read more ...

7. Publicise the Beane

Themes: People

Various measures to increase public awareness of the River Beane, the threats it faces and what they can do to help. Read more ...

4. Opening up the River Beane

Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

This project aims to remove, coppice or prune selected trees to increase the amount of light reaching the river. The river along this stretch is very over-shaded by mature trees and shrubs. Read more ...

17. Reduce water consumption

Theme: Flow; People

This project aims to reduce the amount of water used locally, via education schemes and promotion of water efficiency. Helping people to make the connection between the water in their river and the water in their taps is key. Read more ...