Burrator River Enhancements 2023 & 2024
Geomorphology Report
Extensive survey to identify opportunities for enhancements across the site
Selected locations
River Habitat Survey
• RHS completed over 500m stretch on areas on interventions
• These can be used to assess effectiveness of enhancements in future.
• Mix of results across four sites, poorest indicator was hydromorphological impact ratio (departure from natural condition).
Poaching, few river features, undiverse flow regime, high agricultural sediment load (livestock).
Realignments, embankments, undiverse flow regime.
Over-deepening, reinforced banks, un-diverse flow regime, livestock grazing.
Lack of diversity in riparian zone, undiverse flow regime, few river habitats.
Intervention 1: Large/course woody debris additions
• 2023 – Lower Meavy used perpendicular dams secured by bankside trees or stakes.
• Some were effective, improving floodplain connection.
• Others shifted, moved downstream, still positive for river ecology, but not ideal.
• 2024 – Upper Meavy using heavy horses, very successful, results pending.
• Narrator & Newleycombe – hinged trees have improved floodplain connection and in – river habitats.
Intervention 2: Riparian woodlands
•2.93 hectares of new riparian woodland planted.
•Improvements to soil permeability.
•Connecting existing woodlands for important species to spread between.
Intervention 3: Embankment Removals
• Two embankment breaches on the Narrator brook
• Allow river to flood into floodplain at key locations
• Improving adjacent wetlands
Intervention 4: Leaky Dams
• 1.16 hectares of acid flush habitats improved by leaky dams
• Willow removed from dense wet woodlands used to create living dams
• Holding boggy pools of water and creating habitat for invertebrates and amphibians
• Improving overall wetness of the habitat and holding more water within the catchment.
