Objectives

White Mills lock backchannel proposed a number of enhancement opportunities with the primary focus of the project being to repair the eroded bank. This project will benefit fish, other wildlife including otters and diversify the river habitats. The Project contributes to delivery of Water Frame Directive, improving the ecological status of the river. It will also help the EA deliver the Eel Management Plan and meet its statutory obligations under the Eel Regulations.

• Reduce sedimentation by repairing eroded sections of bank.
• Prevent future erosion by erecting livestock exclusion fencing.
• Increase in-stream woody habitat and create flow variation to improve the natural cleansing of the gravels by hinging and pinning or pleaching riverside trees and shrubs.
• Increase shade and reduce the growth rate of emergent weed beds by new tree planting.

Our Solution

Hinging and pinning overhanging trees and pleaching small riverside trees to increase in-stream woody habitat and create flow variation to improve the natural cleansing of the gravels.

• Tree planting to increase shade over the river and suppress the growth of emergent vegetation. 
• Bank regrading to repair banks badly damaged by cattle poaching, to reduce fine sediment inputs.
• Protect banks from future damage by erecting livestock fencing.

Download our PDF for more details and information about the Elton Backchannel Project