In the stage-zero restoration project in Somerset, a segment of the River Aller has been released from its artificially narrow channel, allowing the water to meander naturally. This transformation has resulted in the creation of streams, pools, and marshy areas, fostering a more favorable environment for both plant and animal life. Furthermore, the reduced water flow minimizes the risk of downstream flooding.
Describing the area, project manager Ben Eardley remarked, “It’s not an orderly and neat landscape. In fact, it appears somewhat marshy and disheveled. However, high-quality habitat often appears in this diverse, seemingly messy form.”
This pioneering project, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK and inspired by initiatives in Oregon, involves the release of a three-quarters-of-a-mile section of the River Aller. Over 4,000 tonnes of earth were used to fill the previous channel, and 700 tonnes of fallen timber from the estate were strategically placed in the floodplain to enhance the natural environment.
Project to liberate part of Somerset river hailed as ‘squelchy’ success | Rivers | The Guardian