Restoring the Yorkshire River Derwent

Restoring the Yorkshire River Derwent This factsheet explains the current progress of the River Derwent Restoration Project, and provides an update into the initial findings and the next stages. The River Derwent Restoration Project The Yorkshire River Derwent has been designated as a nationally important Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to its importance in supporting a wide range of plants and animals. However, changes over time to the land and the way the river has been used has resulted in a deterioration in the quality of habitat and conditions which support this wildlife. Natural England’s last Condition Assessment in 2003 identified that the River Derwent is currently in an unfavourable condition. The Environment Agency is working with Natural England to restore the river to favourable condition. Our work so far • Identification of the main issues To begin planning how to restore the river, we needed In conjunction with the survey, an analysis of existing to understand the river’s current condition and how it information has helped to complete an assessment was behaving. We carried out a survey to understand identifying the main issues influencing the river. the physical processes influencing the river and their These key issues include: subsequent impact on the river ecology. • Excess fine sediment and ‘muddy’ water • Field survey Rainfall washes sediment off of the erodible agricultural soils into drainage ditches and tributaries The survey of the entire length of the River Derwent SSSI and subsequently the river. The increased amount of and SAC between the confluence of the River Rye and room in the river due to historical over-deepening, Barmby on the Marsh was the diversion of water from the Derwent when Sea completed in mid-October Cut operates and the water retaining effect of Barmby 2008. Barrage all encourage sediment to settle out on the river bed (sedimentation). We would like to take this As river levels rise, sediment opportunity to thank all the is mixed up resulting in landowners along the river ‘muddy’ or turbid waters. Fine for allowing our surveyors sedimentation and turbidity access to the river. The have a detrimental effect on responses provided the main requirements of valuable information about the designated plants and the river and the issues animals. Whitecarr Beck we needed to be aware of during the survey. • Physical modifications to the river structure • Barriers to migratory fish passage Changes over time for flood defence and navigation Migratory fish populations can easily be restricted by reasons have re-shaped and straightened long sections barriers to flow. Weirs along the course of the river of the river. Natural features found within unmodified make it difficult for lamprey and salmon and trout to rivers such as varied currents, different bank slopes and move to spawning grounds upstream and for coarse marginal vegetation have been lost in some sections. fish to move around more locally. There is currently Many of these river features inadequate provision for fish are important for the SSSI movement at some weirs, plant species. Restoring the for example Buttercrambe diversity of physical features and Kirkham, and at Barmby within the river will provide Barrage. Action to improve increased opportunities for this will be of benefit to the aquatic plants to establish designated river and sea and places for fish and otters lamprey. Buttercrambe Weir to shelter. Downstream of the River Rye • Lack of shading and shelter in the river and its Development of a draft river restoration plan bankside Some stretches of the River Derwent are lacking in Now that the condition of the middle/lower Derwent and riverside trees and vegetation. Lamprey, bullhead the main issues have been assessed it is possible for and otters need tree roots and woody debris along us to begin to identify actions that can be carried out to the river for shelter and shading. Trees and shrubs restore the river to a favourable condition for wildlife. provide shelter for foraging otters as they move along These actions will be considered in terms of how they the channel hunting for fish. will combine to benefit the river as a whole into the The construction of the flood future. Not all of the river’s problems can be solved embankments along the immediately and a plan of action is needed which is lower reaches of the river has achievable and can be adapted as necessary. limited tree cover and in turn reduced the frequency of tree Getting your views roots and vegetation in and To present our ideas for the restoration plan, we have alongside the river. Downstream of Pocklington Canal arranged two local workshops where we would welcome your feedback on actions that might involve or affect you. Thursday 26 February 2009 – The Talbot Hotel, Malton Monday 2 March 2009– Sutton upon Derwent Village Hall If you would like to attend or if you are unable to but would like to receive information about the actions proposed, please let us know. Once we have received your views we will produce a draft river restoration plan. If you would like to receive a copy of this in due course, please contact us . Contacts Dr Liz Chalk Simon Christian Environment Agency, Natural England, Coverdale House, Genesis 1, Aviator Court University Road, Amy Johnson Way, Heslington, Clifton Moor, York, York, YO10 5ZQ YO30 4GZ Telephone: 01904 435500 Telephone: 01904 822674 [email protected] [email protected] .

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