Removal of Homersfield Sluice a

Overview The removal of Homersfield sluice has been a unique example of a combined river restoration and structural

removal in the East Anglian region. Continued monitoring of the site post works will enable a case to be made for similar removal techniques to be used on

other redundant structures in the region.

Project Type

River Restoration

Watercourse River Waveney

Partners Environment Agency, River Waveney

Trust, Wild Trout Trust

Project Status Completed

Aim Improve river ecology

Improve fish passage Reduce operational costs Restore river to natural form Before and after at the Homersfield site (Photos courtesy of Environment Agency)

Description Over a six week period in August and September 2013 Environment Agency staff removed two vertical

lifting gates and the associated structure at the Homersfield sluice on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk. In place of the sluice a set of three riffles were constructed with deep pond sections between to replicate a natural pool riffle sequence. The faster flowing shallow water over the gravels has given

fish an ideal habitat in which to spawn and the river now has the energy to transport sediment downriver to make natural river forms. The removal of the sluice has opened up an extra 8km of river to fish and eels and the riffles have been designed to maintain upstream water levels which are an

integral part of the Waveney valley.

Contact

Trevor Bond, Geomorphology Technical Officer, Environment Agency [email protected]