5. Revisit failed river restoration at Digswell
Theme: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife
Objective:
- That whatever the flow level, the river and its associated habitats, including banks and floodplains, are managed to support chalk stream species
Project description
To revisit and revise some previous restoration works to the river, which failed to achieve their desired aims.
Previous stone deflectors installed in the river caused silting and didn’t achieve their desired aims. However, this site holds an important water vole population and several measures could improve the site for this species, and other river wildlife. These include:
• Removal of the old stone deflectors
• Installation of wooden deflectors
• De-silting the channel
• Removing channel obstructions
• Reinstating the lower channel
• Removing and controlling Himalayan balsam
Grid reference: TL24261510
Project lead: Hertfordshire Groundwork Trust
Project partners: Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust; Landowner
Project start: 2013
