80km of River Wear polluted by Legacy mine workings!
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A new report published by the Coal Authority reveals how more than 80km of rivers in Weardale have been polluted by abandoned metal mines. The findings show that metals such zinc, cadmium and lead have been found in the River Wear catchment in the eastern part of County Durham close to the Pennines. Read more at the Chronicle story link below:
Raw Sewage in our Rivers!
Discharging raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters: How was this allowed to happen? What can be done about it?
A view from Peter Nailon WRT Director:
Is your river fit to play in? Follow the link below to find out and to see the combined sewer system across England and Wales.
Project Update: Alderdene Burn Natural Flood Management
Following a busy week of planting, we have completed our 3 natural flood management (NFM) sites located along Alderdene Burn. These consisted of 550m of new hedging and 2 riparian woodland sites, 0.14 ha and 0.5 ha in size, funded by our project partners at Durham Woodland Revival. These sites were chosen following drone and walkover surveys of the area which were then used to identify the locations in which surface runoff was a particular problem and therefore where NFM interventions would be most effective. As they mature, the hedge and trees will intercept surface runoff and slow the rate at which water enters Alderdene Burn. The species used for the hedge were chosen as those which are native and traditional for hedging in the local area, whilst also being beneficial for pollinators through their staggered flowering times. The riparian woodland species are also native and were chosen not only for their high water tolerance but also for their ability to quickly become established and spread as this will help the area begin to intercept water more quickly and effectively.
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped us with the planting, including the Skill Mill, local volunteers from Lanchester tree planting group, and WRT staff and trustees. We would also like to thank Penny and Neil Davies for their generous financial contribution towards helping the trees to become established, it is much appreciated and will give them their best chance of reaching maturity and providing the intended NFM benefits.
In earlier phases of this project WRT have worked with local landowners to fence off watercourses, improve gateways, create storage ponds and build leaky dams. Further leaky dam creation, fencing, drinking point installation and improvements of a final gateway are due to be made in the upcoming weeks which will complete the Alderdene Burn NFM Project. These interventions will all work in combination with the tree and hedge planting to reduce soil erosion and slow the flow of water in Alderdene Burn, helping to protect Lanchester from flooding for years to come.
Revisting our first project: Cong Burn Fish pass
Cong Burn Fish Pass Riverside Park Chester le Street: 2012-2021
The Cong Burn fish pass was installed 2012 to raise the water level around a 3 ft weir carrying a sewer pipe to an adjacent Sewage Treatment Works. The photo looks downstream toward the confluence with the Wear. The RH bank, looking downstream, has been revetted with10ft vertical larch logs driven into the bank base, reinforced with horizontal larch rebarred together and backfilled with willow brash. The brash successfully regenerated and has since grew to a size where it should be coppiced next winter and used for bank revetment elsewhere. The revetment at this site prevented the burn eroding around the fish pass.
Looking upstream with the larch and willow bank revetment on the left. The rock ramps increase the elevation of each pool until the weir is submerged in the smooth water glide above the top rock ramp. The whole rock ramp can often be covered with gravels, resembling a natural graduated riverbed, when the main river holds up the flow of the Cong burn and sediments drop out of suspension. These gravels are scoured away at times when the Cong burn is flowing strongly, and the main river is low.
Looking upstream from the footbridge just above the Wear confluence. The larch and willow revetment can be seen along the full length of the LH bank with the rock ramp in the distance. The shot is sadly not enhanced by the plastic sheet hanging off the tree.
This view shows the regenerated willow grown from the brash used to backfill the larch logs. These trees should be coppiced not only to provide native woody material to be used elsewhere, but to prevent them becoming top heavy and destabilising the extremely sandy bankside. One for next winter…
Useful Links
The Rivers Trust
http://www.theriverstrust.org/
Tyne Rivers Trust
Tees Rivers Trust
Environment Agency
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
Northumbrian Water
Wear Catchment Partnership
www.catchmentbasedapproach.org/northumbria/wear
River water levels via Farson Digital