Sophie Bloor from Severn Rivers Trust said there will be an “explosion” of nature in the new meander
Sophie Bloor from Severn Rivers Trust said there will be an “explosion” of nature in the new meander
An 18-month-long project to “re-wiggle” a river after more than a century has been successfully completed prompting “tears and celebrations”.
A section of the River Kemp, in south Shropshire, had been straightened by landowners in the 1800s, disconnecting it from its natural floodplain and reducing biodiversity.
Now water is flowing in the meander again, after it was restored in a project led by Severn Rivers Trust (SRT) and involved local landowners.
“We’re expecting an explosion in wildlife”, Sophie Bloor from SRT said, adding that because “we’ve worked so closely with the farmers they are still able to graze [here].”
As the digger swept away the muddy barrier between the river and the so-called “Walcot Wiggle,” Bloor said she was “absolutely buzzing.”
The project was also developed in consultation with Catchment Sensitive Farming, the Environment Agency, and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team.
“Historically [the meander] would have just rocketed down,” Bloor continued, adding that “because the channel is now wider [and] shallower, the river will interact with its floodplain”.
The site, in Little Brampton between Clun and Craven Arms, will “hold huge amounts of water, which will then help [reduce] flooding downstream”, she continued.
“That ephemeral, wet-dry landscape – all the wading birds will absolutely love it, and you’ll get insects… and all the really cool plants and flowers.”
The river’s natural meander can be seen by satellite – and now has water flowing through it for the first time in hundreds of years
The river’s natural meander can be seen by satellite – and now has water flowing through it for the first time in hundreds of years
Local arable, beef, and poultry farmer Rob Evans is part of the Walcot Farm Partnership alongside his wife Lucy and son Will.
Seeing the new meander on the farmland is a big moment, he said, adding “it’s nice to give something back”.
The farm’s involvement began with reaching out to Catchment Sensitive Farming and the government’s Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.
“It started with a few wildlife ponds, seeing what we can do for enhancing grasslands, and then it came to, ‘Shall we reroute the river?’,” Evans explained.
Rob Evans, his son Will and Doug the pug have seen the project through from start to finish
Rob Evans, his son Will and Doug the pug have seen the project through from start to finish
Watching water flow through the channel was “quite a proud moment, really,” he added.
“My wife, Lucy, and my son Will, we’ve all been part of it and seen it from start to finish,” he added.
Internationally important species
Whilst the current channel looks somewhat sparse, the team are confident it will be looking rather different in years to come.
“You’ll expect to see species that had been in the old channel, but they’ll have more space,” said Rachel Glover from the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team.
“Especially species that rely on more natural gravels and variation within the channel – that’s the benefit of the meander.”
The “Walcot Wiggle” is taking place within the headwaters of the River Clun – parts of which support internationally important species like the freshwater pearl mussel.
Waters rushed through the channel for the first time in hundreds of years
Waters rushed through the channel for the first time in hundreds of years
“There’ll be a real variety of species,” Glover added, explaining that the “wetter and boggier” landscape will see “more wading birds.”
“Nature restores and reestablishes itself very quickly,” she said, noting that whilst the freshly-broken ground looks harsh, it will soon “become more natural.”
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