The Living Waterways project is an Environment Agency initiative delivered through the Durham, Northumberland and Tees Valley Wildlife Trusts.
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The project aims to develop sustainable solutions to reduce flood risk in urban areas and integrate improvements to wildlife habitats through community involvement, education, practical habitat management and flood risk alleviation. The project hopes to increase public awareness of urban waterways and promote the importance of these streams as habitats and corridors for wildlife contributing towards Durham Biodiversity Action Plan targets and the European Water Framework Directive.
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The project will involve local people in the management of their waterways and associated green spaces throughout 2011. There will be a range of community engagement events including consultation and information sessions, fun activity days and education sessions in local schools. These events will insure the project is community led, promote the project and the use of urban streams as a beneficial resource for people and wildlife.
WATCH WILDLIFE CAUGHT ON CAMERA BY LIVING WATERWAYS here…..!
Initially running for 3 years from 2009, Living Waterways is working in South Tyneside, Gateshead, Sunderland, Darlington and Durham. For more information and to find out more about the project please contact Michael Rogers on (0191) 584 3112 or email mrogers@durhamwt.co.uk.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Barbara Priestman School, Sunderland
Habitat improvements undertaken by the school and the Living Waterways project included the installation of two ponds, cutting back of invasive species and assisting the WildPlaces project with further general biodiversity enhancements around the water course.
Harperley Woods Great Crested Newt Project
Living Waterways teamed up with Tanfield Lea Countryside volunteers and Durham County Council to regenerate a known Great Crested Newt breeding pond that had silted up and become overgrown with vegetation. The pond is part of a network of ponds in the ancient broadleaved woodland that form an excellent habitat for newts and other amphibians.
The project was possible thanks to the generous funding from the Sir James Knott Trust and the fantastic enthusiasm and hard work shown by the Tanfield Lea Countryside Volunteers.
A short film on the project will soon be available on the website courtesy of the Environment Agency.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Shadforth Play Area Drainage & Wetland Project
The Shadforth Play Area Wetland Project is nearing completion after the initial drainage work was completed at the end of March 2011. Designed to improve the play area in Shadforth Village, Co. Durham, the specific objective of the project is to improve the drainage in the field by creating a swale and scrape that will hold water during high rainfall events and provide a refuge for water voles when the river is in flood.
The swale and scrape has recently been planted with native plant life which will provide food and shelter for the protected water vole. Excessive flooding of a watercourse can make it untenable for water voles, therefore the long term stability of water levels on this site is an important prerequisite for their continued success along Shadforth Beck.
Rainton to Eppleton Water Vole Project
The Living Waterways’ Rainton to Eppleton Water Vole Corridor project has recently received funding from Biffaward to improve 6.5km of riparian habitat for water voles. The work will see the installation of pre-established marginal vegetation along sections of the Rainton Burn to provide cover for known populations of water voles to use the waterway as a corridor between neighboring habitats. The project will also include the thinning of trees and scrub, de-silting of stream beds and the planting of water vole food plants.
River Don Backwaters Project
The main element of the project will be the installation of two backwaters along the river. These are essentially ponds which are connected to the main river channel by a 2m wide inlet, allowing river water to flow into the pond areas. A dipping platform will be installed over one of the backwater ponds to provide a community resource which can also be used by local schools for education sessions. The backwaters are designed to be shallow with gently sloping edges to minimise any risks associated with water features.
Backwaters are a sustainable solution to reducing the velocity and discharge of a river in flood. They are designed to store water during high level flows therefore reducing the amount in the main river channel. Although they do not completely eradicate the risk of flooding in any given area, they have an important impact in slowing down the flow reducing the chance of blockages and flash flooding downstream. A similar backwater project on the River Skerne in Darlington has seen benefits to flood risk management, increased recreation and previously uncommon wildlife has thrived in the new features. In the Skerne example local residents were involved in the design, planning and education aspects of the project, an example which Living Waterways aims to follow in West Boldon.
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For more information about the project and to find out how you can get involved please contact the Living Waterways Project Officer at Durham Wildlife Trust on (0191) 584 3112
