Grisedale Beck Restoration Project
by Lev Dahl
In September 2021 Eden Rivers Trust, in partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England, Matson Ground Estate Co Ltd. and Dynamic Rivers Ltd., undertook a river restoration project on the Grisedale Beck at Braesteads Farm.
Natural flood management and habitat improvement
The aim of this project is to reconnect the river with its floodplain and historic river channels. This will provide a natural flood management benefit to the community at Patterdale as well as significantly improving both in-stream and riparian habitat and biodiversity – all whilst maintaining its function as a working farm within the Lake District World Heritage site.
As with many rivers in the UK, Grisedale Beck has historically been straightened and reinforced so that fields can be drained to improve grazing. This work was undertaken over 200 years ago and since then we have learned a lot about how straightened and reinforced rivers can negatively affect wildlife and increase flood risk. It should be noted that, despite the historic changes made to the river at the project site, this is still not particularly good grazing land, being very rough pasture and quite boggy in areas.
Slowing the flow and increasing habitat for floodplain plants and animals
The proposed works to restore in-stream habitat features and remove some sections of bank protection will reconnect the river with the floodplain, allowing water to flow into the existing paleo-channels (remnants of the original, pre-straightening, river channel) and flow through the site as a second river. This not only increases the amount of habitat available for both freshwater and floodplain plants and animals, but also slows the flow of water in high flows, improves floodplain storage and ground infiltration and removes sediment from the system.
More water stored on the floodplain
Although it should be very clearly noted that these interventions will not prevent flooding in Patterdale, they will help to reduce the flood risk. For example, more sediment will be stored in the floodplain through the improved connectivity between the river and its floodplain instead of being transported down to Grisedale Bridge and blocking the arch there, which has been known to contribute to localised flooding in the past. The project will also store around 5000m3 of water during flood events which, whilst only a relatively small amount, is still less water being transported down the beck at any one time.
More biodiversity
Environmentally, a more naturalised river channel and floodplain means improved habitat diversity and therefore biodiversity too. In stream, habitat will be created for a whole range of creatures, ranging from invertebrates such as mayflies and stoneflies, to brown trout (which we know are present at the site) and eels (which have been recorded there in the past). This will in turn help other wildlife such as otters, who rely on these species for food.
Changes to the floodplain will also benefit wildlife. Plant diversity will be improved due to the changed hydrological regime and will increase the number of invertebrates – from worms to moths and butterflies. These invertebrates play an important part in the ecosystem. As well as improving soil quality and helping pollination, they are the food source of a huge range of wildlife, particularly bats and a number of bird species.
The final result of this project then, will be a site that provides environmental and flood benefits, is still a working farm and that complements the beauty of the Grisedale valley which is enjoyed by huge numbers of people every year.
By Lev Dahl, River Restoration Manager, Eden Rivers Trust
