Kingsmill Reservoir Hydrological Assessment Siltation Management Options Review
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Kingsmill Reservoir Hydrological Assessment Siltation Management Options Review Prepared for Ashfield District Council February 2011 Ref:052/002/km/0211 S M Foster Associates Limited Hydrological and Hydrogeological Consultants 7 Bownas Road Boston Spa Wetherby West Yorkshire LS23 6EX Tel: 01937 849950 Email: [email protected] www.smfassociates.co.uk Kingsmill Reservoir 1 Hydrological Assessment Kingsmill Reservoir Hydrological Assessment Siltation Management Options Review Prepared for Ashfield District Council Executive Summary This report has been prepared in response to instruction from Ashfield District Council dated 3 rd November 2010. The report contains the results and recommendations arising from a detailed hydrological study of Kingsmill Reservoir, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Progressive silt deposition has supported development of a wide range of wetland and shallow water habitats with significant increase in biodiversity at the reservoir site. Silt deposition has also led to a reduction in the navigable area of the reservoir with adverse impact on the ability of Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club to carryout sailing and racing activities. The study has led to the identification of three silt management options as follows: Option 1: Do nothing and allow natural progression Option 2: Selective silt removal by dredging Option 3: Silt containment and selective silt removal by dredging Option 1 is the lowest cost option with no new capital expenditure required and minimum increase in ongoing weed management costs. This option would deliver no improvement in the recreational capacity of the reservoir. Silt balance studies suggest that there would continue to be progressive loss of navigable water and within a period of approximately ten years the viability of Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club could be in question. Option 2 would reinstate the reservoir to its 1984 configuration in all areas except the upstream reservoir inlet which would remain largely an area of shallow wetlands as at present. This option would deliver significant benefit to both the sailing club and the Adventure Base without adversely effecting local ecology or habitat creation potential. Maintaining deeper water areas close to the reservoir margins would minimise the risk of water body shrinkage and maintain the landscape value of the reservoir site for all reservoir users and visitors. Selective dredging of silt from marginal areas of the reservoir is estimated to cost in the region of £300,000 although cost estimates range from £205,000 to £1,665,000 depending on silt disposal options. Silt balance studies suggest that under this option the de-silting operation would need to be repeated on a 10-year cycle to meet navigable water objectives. Option 3 incorporates both selective de-silting and construction of an upstream silt containment structure to minimise silt migration into the reservoir in the future. This approach offers the most complete strategy for management of silt accumulation within the reservoir. As with Option 2 this option would deliver significant benefit to both the sailing club and the Adventure Base without adversely effecting local ecology or habitat creation potential. The estimated cost of implementing Option is in region of £650,000 although cost estimates range from £435,000 to £2,010,000 depending on silt disposal options. The opportunity to manage future silt accumulation from the containment structure would mean significantly lower de-silting costs in future years. It is recommended that, subject to the availability of funding, consideration is given to the implementation of Option 3 incorporating the construction of a silt containment structure at the upstream end of the reservoir and selective de-silting around the western boundary. The preferred silt management option is to retain silt within the site for use in island construction subject to future assessment of silt composition and contaminant migration risk It is recommended that consideration be given to assessment of potential funding or co-funding opportunities for implementation of Option 3. The project may be suitable for an application for co-funding from the EU Life Environment Programme which has a 2011 application deadline of May 2011 for projects that could commence from May 2012. S M Foster Associates Limited February 2011 Kingsmill Reservoir 2 Hydrological Assessment Kingsmill Reservoir Hydrological Assessment Siltation Management Options Review Prepared for Ashfield District Council Table of Contents 1. Introduction and background .......................................................................................5 2. Scope of work ................................................................................................................5 3. Site location and hydrological history .........................................................................7 4. Reservoir status, use and development context .......................................................10 Leisure and recreational use ...................................................................................11 Nature conservation status......................................................................................11 Geothermal energy scheme ....................................................................................11 Land drainage .........................................................................................................12 Downstream users ..................................................................................................12 Kingsmill Reservoir Draft Management Plan 2010-2014..........................................13 5. Reservoir hydrology ....................................................................................................13 Catchment definition................................................................................................14 Inflow rates..............................................................................................................16 Flood management function ....................................................................................18 Water quality ...........................................................................................................19 6. Reservoir siltation........................................................................................................20 Sources of silt..........................................................................................................21 Silt accumulation rates and influencing factors ........................................................22 1984 bathymetric survey .....................................................................................................22 Recent bathymetric survey .................................................................................................23 7. Impact of siltation on reservoir functions..................................................................27 Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club ................................................................................27 Mill Adventure Base ................................................................................................28 Other recreational use.............................................................................................29 Downstream users ..................................................................................................29 Flood management .................................................................................................30 Land drainage .........................................................................................................30 8. Future trends................................................................................................................31 9. Regulatory considerations..........................................................................................32 S M Foster Associates Limited February 2011 Kingsmill Reservoir 3 Hydrological Assessment Reservoirs Act 1975................................................................................................33 Flood and Water Management Act 2010 .................................................................33 Water Resources Act 1991......................................................................................34 Water Resources Act 1991 – Part II pollution offences............................................34 Groundwater protection policy and practice.............................................................35 PPS25 Development and Flood Risk.......................................................................35 10. Management options review .......................................................................................35 Silt management options.........................................................................................36 Option 1: Do nothing and allow natural progression ..........................................................37 Option 2: Selective silt removal by dredging ......................................................................39 Option 3: Silt containment and selective silt removal by dredging .....................................45 11. Conclusions and recommendations...........................................................................51 Cost/benefit considerations .....................................................................................53 Recommendations ..................................................................................................55