Difference between revisions of "River Skerne EU-LIFE project"

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<Forecasterlink type="getProjectInfoBox" code="180" />
 
<Forecasterlink type="getProjectInfoBox" code="180" />
 
    
 
    
−
==Key features of the case study==
+
==General description==
 +
The river Skerne is a 40 km tributary of the river Tees. The source is located in the hills close to the village of Trimdon and the river confluences with the Tees at Hurworth Place. The project site lies in the city of Darlington.
  
−
The Skerne demonstration site is located in the town of Darlington, County Durham and demonstrates what can be achieved in an urban environment. The Skerne has been straightened and enlarged to reduce flooding and to drain the surrounding urban area. Much of the floodplain has been raised by old industrial waste tipping, with gas and sewer pipes running alongside the river. As a result of these constraints, restoration opportunities were severely limited - typical of urban rivers elsewhere.
+
The Skerne demonstration project was part of the River Demonstration Project together with the river Skerne and river Brede projects. This collaboration between British and Danish water managers tried to apply state-of-the-art restoration techniques and to demonstrate these projects to a wider audience of European water managers. It was the first river restoration project of this kind in the UK.
  
−
A 2km length of the river has been restored. Four new meanders have been formed in a remaining section of floodplain used as open parkland. The excess soil was used to landscape nearby steep slopes. Riverbanks have been strengthened with willow and reeds to prevent erosion. Thirteen ugly surface water outfalls have been replaced with underground inspection /collection chambers that firstly intercept pollution and then discharge the water into the river below water level.  
+
==Pressures and Drivers==
 +
Historical management and increasing urbanization has diminished the natural dynamics of the river Skerne. The river has been channelized and deepened to increase flood protection and the floodplains have been elevated by industrial waste disposal. Waste water treatment plants have a negative influence on the water quality, while technical infrastructure such as sewer pipes and electric cables limit the available floodplain size even further.
  
−
Elsewhere, where the river could not be re-meandered, it has been enhanced by reshaping and narrowing the bed to vary the flow and to allow riverside plants to flourish. New footpaths and planting schemes complete the theme of "bringing the countryside into town", which locally has been greatly appreciated.
+
The Life Demonstration Project has chosen this project location as example of river restoration in a restrictive urban environment.
 +
 
 +
==Global objectives==
 +
The global objective of this restoration project was based on three goals:
 +
*Restoration of 2km of the river in terms of physical features, flood management, habitat diversity, water quality, landscape and access for the community
 +
*Application of innovative restoration techniques and best management practice within an urban environment
 +
*The furthering of knowledge and understanding of river restoration by comprehensive monitoring and practical demonstration of the results to the local community and wider audiences.
 +
 
 +
==Specific objectives==
 +
 
 +
There were no specific goals for indicators in this project. Because it was the first project of its kind, the focus was more on achieving general social and ecological success.
 +
 
 +
==Success Criteria==
 +
 
 +
Because the focus of the project was more on achieving general social and ecological success, no strict success criteria for indicators were used.
  
 
==Site description==
 
==Site description==
−
+
 
 +
[[File:Skerne_map.JPG‎]]
 +
 
 
==Measures selection==
 
==Measures selection==
 +
To restore the Skerne in Darlington, several measures were taken. First, the channel was made more natural with meanders when there was enough space and a more natural river bank profile. The floodplain was lowered to create new shallow wetlands and more retention space, but also to make a natural flooding regime possible. The open outlets of the water system were changed to underground collection chambers to hide them from public view and to reduce the risk of pollution. To make the river accessible and attractive to the people of Darlington, new footpaths and recreational facilities are created in the new floodplains.
  
−
==Success criteria==
+
==Monitoring==
  
−
==Ecological response==
+
''Pre-restoration monitoring''
 +
Taken from The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999. Please check full report for all details.
  
−
==Hydromorphological response==
+
Before restoration started, several indicators were monitored to see what the reference situation is for post-restoration monitoring.
  
−
==Monitoring before and after implementation of the project==
+
''Ecology''
  
−
==Socio-economic aspects==
+
River channel '''vegetation''' was monitored qualitatively by assessing the number of species found per 500 meter channel length. Aquatic '''macro-invertebrates''' were monitored by assessing the species richness. '''Fish''' were monitored by assessing the grams biomass per m2, fish density and species richness. '''Birds''' were monitored by assessing the assemblage of breeding birds and abundance.
  
−
==Contact person within the organization==
+
''Hydro-morphology''
 +
 
 +
Geomorphological monitoring was carried out by mapping channel cross sections and physical habitat mapping. The water quality monitoring was focused on suspended sediment concentration and concentration of nitrogen (total oxidized nitrogen) and phosphorus (soluble reactive phosphorous) compounds. Measured at monthly intervals.
 +
 
 +
''Flood protection''
 +
 
 +
The hydrological regime was monitored by modelling the flood frequency.
 +
 
 +
''Social-economic factors''
 +
 
 +
Economic benefits for six categories (water quality, amenity, fisheries, agriculture, flood defence and recreation) were calculated.
 +
 
 +
Public perception was measured using a questionnaire.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
''Post-restoration monitoring''
 +
 
 +
The post-restoration monitoring consists of two methods. First, the same indicators and monitoring techniques used in the pre-restoration monitoring are repeated for post-restoration monitoring. The other method is comparing the data to another location, in this case downstream of the river. This was done to assess the impact of the restoration on the downstream areas, but it can also be used to compare the results of the restoration between the restored site and a control site.
 +
 
 +
The monitoring was planned for 1 year and 2 years after restoration. More long term monitoring was not planned due to lack of budget, but the project got the attention of the university world and later monitoring was done by Master and PhD students, for example between 2007 and 2009.
 +
 
 +
==Expectations and Response==
 +
 
 +
It was expected that the existing unpleasant park would improve in aesthetic quality and be more pleasant for the public as recreation area. The stream will feature more natural elements and the improved flooding regime will initiate more natural dynamics. The flood protection level remains unchanged, so the people of Darlington are still protected from flooding.
 +
 
 +
The full results can be found in the final report: The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999. The results of later monitoring efforts are not yet published.
 +
 +
''Ecology''
 +
 
 +
Macrophyte species richness increased above pre-restoration levels with 30%, a year after restoration. The downstream control site did not seem to be affected by the restoration measures.
 +
 
 +
No changes were found in the macro-invertebrate community.
 +
 
 +
The fish species richness increased with Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and Chub (Leuciscus cephalus), but the total number of caught individuals was small with only 16 fish for 4 species. The appearance of new fish species can be related to the new fish pass below Darlington. Unfortunately, two severe pollution incidents occurred in 1997 and may have largely eliminated recolonizing fish populations.
 +
 
 +
''Hydro-morphology''
 +
 
 +
The river length was increased with 13%. Flood protection considerations required that the new channel cross-sections were maintained with similar proportions as the pre-restored channel. The river could not be restored to its original course with a natural channel cross section due to flood defence and services close to the channel (gas, electricity, sewerage). The water quality did not seem to be significantly changed after the restoration.
 +
 
 +
''Flood protection''
 +
 
 +
The new channel profile with lower banks increased the out of bank flow to a maximum of 4.5 days per year. The lowering of the floodplain itself created more water storage.
 +
 
 +
''Social-economic factors''
 +
 
 +
The public had been engaged in the project since the planning phase and the post-restoration assessment showed that 52% of the Darlington residents ‘mostly’ and 30% ‘strongly’ approved the restoration works. A majority of 64% felt that the restoration scheme had achieved its objectives and 70% of the residents thought more wildlife had been attracted to the area.
 +
 
 +
Overall, the Skerne project was a big social success. People were engaged in the project and very positive about the end results. The ecological status has improved, but it is still restricted by the urban environment, for example fixation of the stream to protect gas line, and pollution from industry upstream.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Cooperation==
 +
The demonstration project in total was a collaboration between water managers in the UK and Denmark. However, the restoration itself was carried out by national, regional and local partners of both governmental and private sectors. The partners both worked on the river Cole and Skerne (Holmes et al., 1998). The project partners of the river Skerne were:
 +
 
 +
- National Rivers Authority (Environment Agency since 1996)
 +
 
 +
- English Nature (Natural England since 2006)
 +
 
 +
- Darlington Borough Council (landowner Skerne river)
 +
 
 +
- Countryside Commission
 +
 
 +
- Northumbrian Water
 +
 
 +
- Department of Agriculture N. Ireland (individuals, not entire organization)
 +
 
 +
- River Restoration Project (now River Restoration Centre)
 +
 
 +
- National Trust (landowner Cole river)
 +
 
 +
- Scottish Natural Heritage (individuals, not entire organization)
 +
 
 +
==Communication==
 +
 
 +
Communication with the public was an important part of the Skerne project and unique back in the day. The local residents were invited to give their opinion on the plans via the public perception surveys and were informed via leaflets, newsletters and public meetings during implementation. Their opinion was also an important part of the evaluation of the project success. Involving the landowner (Darlington Borough Council) as a project partner, further involved the voice of the community in the project.
 +
 
 +
==Funding==
 +
The total budget of the project submitted to the EU-LIFE project was € 1,758,621.29, because Denmark was the leading partner. The UK budget was initially set at £850,000, but increased interest and support let the total project budget grow to almost £1 million.
 +
 
 +
The project budget for both the Skerne and Cole was divided in 4 elements, each with a set amount of budget.
 +
- £350,000 for construction contracts
 +
- £200,000 for pre- and post-restoration monitoring studies
 +
- £190,000 for management, promotion, compensations and administration
 +
- +/- £190,000 for survey, design, contract documentation and site supervision 
 +
 
 +
The EU contribution to the total project was € 749,172.67.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Contact==
 +
River Restoration Centre
 +
 
 +
Dr. Ulrika Åberg
 +
 
 +
Tel.: 0044 1234 752979
 +
 
 +
Email: u.aberg@cranfield.ac.uk
  
 
==Extra background information==
 
==Extra background information==
−
[[Media:Skerne_photos.pdf‎|Before and after aerial photos of the Skerne project]]
+
http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_river_projects1.php?csid=37
  
−
==References==
+
This literature contains more information about river rehabilitation in general.
−
<references/>
+
  
−
[[Category:Case_studies]]
+
De Waal L.C., Large A.R.G. and Wade P.M. (eds) (1998) Rehabilitation of Rivers - Principles and Implementation John Wiley & Sons, Chichester (344pp)
  
−
== Related Measures ==
+
Holmes N.T.H. (1998) A Review of River Rehabilitation in the UK 1990-1996 Environment Agency R&D Technical Report W175
  
−
<Forecasterlink type="getMeasuresForProject" code="180" />
+
Boon, P.J. and Raven, P.J. eds. (2012) Revisiting the Case for River Conservation, in River Conservation and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK
 +
 
 +
==References==
  
−
== Related Pressures ==
+
Holmes, N.T.H., Nielsen, M.B., Vivash, R., Ottosen, O., Janes, M., Sørensen, H., Kronvang, B., Svendsen, L.M., Brookes, A., Fisher, K., Møller, B., Newson, M., Sear, D., Hoffmann, C.C., Pedersen, M.L., Øvig, L. (1998) Restoration of the Rivers Brede, Cole and Skerne: A joint Danish and British EU-LIFE demonstration project I – V, Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 8:185 - 255
  
−
<Forecasterlink type="getPressuresForProject" code="180" />
+
The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999
  
−
[[Category:River continuity]] [[Category:River depth and width variation]] [[Category:Structure of the riparian zone]] [[Category:Structure of the floodplain]] [[Category:Macrophytes and phytobenthos]] [[Category:Benthic invertebrates]] [[Category:Fish]]
+
Brochure River Cole, restored 1995/6, River Restoration Centre
−
[http://riverwiki.restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study%3ARiver_Skerne-_Life_project Skerne project on the River Wiki]
+

Latest revision as of 12:52, 30 July 2013

River Skerne EU-LIFE project


Factsheet: River Skerne EU-LIFE project

General
Country GB
River Name River Skerne
Site Name River Skerne EU-LIFE project
River Characterisation
    River typology
    Location (Lat Lon) 54.5386629059809, -1.53568267822266
    Altitude lowland: < 200 m
    Catchment area medium: > 100 - 1000 km2
    Geology
    National code/
    River type name
    Hydromorphological quality elements

    Biological quality elements
    Ecosystem Services
    EU Directives
    Pressures
    Measures
    Other
    Project size 2 km
    Approximate costs
    Synergy Community regeneration project, flood storage
    Status Realised
    Period of realization
    Evaluation Hydromorphological and ecological changes
    Implemented by River Restoration Centre and EU-LIFE Partnership


    General description

    The river Skerne is a 40 km tributary of the river Tees. The source is located in the hills close to the village of Trimdon and the river confluences with the Tees at Hurworth Place. The project site lies in the city of Darlington.

    The Skerne demonstration project was part of the River Demonstration Project together with the river Skerne and river Brede projects. This collaboration between British and Danish water managers tried to apply state-of-the-art restoration techniques and to demonstrate these projects to a wider audience of European water managers. It was the first river restoration project of this kind in the UK.

    Pressures and Drivers

    Historical management and increasing urbanization has diminished the natural dynamics of the river Skerne. The river has been channelized and deepened to increase flood protection and the floodplains have been elevated by industrial waste disposal. Waste water treatment plants have a negative influence on the water quality, while technical infrastructure such as sewer pipes and electric cables limit the available floodplain size even further.

    The Life Demonstration Project has chosen this project location as example of river restoration in a restrictive urban environment.

    Global objectives

    The global objective of this restoration project was based on three goals:

    • Restoration of 2km of the river in terms of physical features, flood management, habitat diversity, water quality, landscape and access for the community
    • Application of innovative restoration techniques and best management practice within an urban environment
    • The furthering of knowledge and understanding of river restoration by comprehensive monitoring and practical demonstration of the results to the local community and wider audiences.

    Specific objectives

    There were no specific goals for indicators in this project. Because it was the first project of its kind, the focus was more on achieving general social and ecological success.

    Success Criteria

    Because the focus of the project was more on achieving general social and ecological success, no strict success criteria for indicators were used.

    Site description

    Skerne map.JPG

    Measures selection

    To restore the Skerne in Darlington, several measures were taken. First, the channel was made more natural with meanders when there was enough space and a more natural river bank profile. The floodplain was lowered to create new shallow wetlands and more retention space, but also to make a natural flooding regime possible. The open outlets of the water system were changed to underground collection chambers to hide them from public view and to reduce the risk of pollution. To make the river accessible and attractive to the people of Darlington, new footpaths and recreational facilities are created in the new floodplains.

    Monitoring

    Pre-restoration monitoring Taken from The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999. Please check full report for all details.

    Before restoration started, several indicators were monitored to see what the reference situation is for post-restoration monitoring.

    Ecology

    River channel vegetation was monitored qualitatively by assessing the number of species found per 500 meter channel length. Aquatic macro-invertebrates were monitored by assessing the species richness. Fish were monitored by assessing the grams biomass per m2, fish density and species richness. Birds were monitored by assessing the assemblage of breeding birds and abundance.

    Hydro-morphology

    Geomorphological monitoring was carried out by mapping channel cross sections and physical habitat mapping. The water quality monitoring was focused on suspended sediment concentration and concentration of nitrogen (total oxidized nitrogen) and phosphorus (soluble reactive phosphorous) compounds. Measured at monthly intervals.

    Flood protection

    The hydrological regime was monitored by modelling the flood frequency.

    Social-economic factors

    Economic benefits for six categories (water quality, amenity, fisheries, agriculture, flood defence and recreation) were calculated.

    Public perception was measured using a questionnaire.


    Post-restoration monitoring

    The post-restoration monitoring consists of two methods. First, the same indicators and monitoring techniques used in the pre-restoration monitoring are repeated for post-restoration monitoring. The other method is comparing the data to another location, in this case downstream of the river. This was done to assess the impact of the restoration on the downstream areas, but it can also be used to compare the results of the restoration between the restored site and a control site.

    The monitoring was planned for 1 year and 2 years after restoration. More long term monitoring was not planned due to lack of budget, but the project got the attention of the university world and later monitoring was done by Master and PhD students, for example between 2007 and 2009.

    Expectations and Response

    It was expected that the existing unpleasant park would improve in aesthetic quality and be more pleasant for the public as recreation area. The stream will feature more natural elements and the improved flooding regime will initiate more natural dynamics. The flood protection level remains unchanged, so the people of Darlington are still protected from flooding.

    The full results can be found in the final report: The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999. The results of later monitoring efforts are not yet published.

    Ecology

    Macrophyte species richness increased above pre-restoration levels with 30%, a year after restoration. The downstream control site did not seem to be affected by the restoration measures.

    No changes were found in the macro-invertebrate community.

    The fish species richness increased with Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and Chub (Leuciscus cephalus), but the total number of caught individuals was small with only 16 fish for 4 species. The appearance of new fish species can be related to the new fish pass below Darlington. Unfortunately, two severe pollution incidents occurred in 1997 and may have largely eliminated recolonizing fish populations.

    Hydro-morphology

    The river length was increased with 13%. Flood protection considerations required that the new channel cross-sections were maintained with similar proportions as the pre-restored channel. The river could not be restored to its original course with a natural channel cross section due to flood defence and services close to the channel (gas, electricity, sewerage). The water quality did not seem to be significantly changed after the restoration.

    Flood protection

    The new channel profile with lower banks increased the out of bank flow to a maximum of 4.5 days per year. The lowering of the floodplain itself created more water storage.

    Social-economic factors

    The public had been engaged in the project since the planning phase and the post-restoration assessment showed that 52% of the Darlington residents ‘mostly’ and 30% ‘strongly’ approved the restoration works. A majority of 64% felt that the restoration scheme had achieved its objectives and 70% of the residents thought more wildlife had been attracted to the area.

    Overall, the Skerne project was a big social success. People were engaged in the project and very positive about the end results. The ecological status has improved, but it is still restricted by the urban environment, for example fixation of the stream to protect gas line, and pollution from industry upstream.


    Cooperation

    The demonstration project in total was a collaboration between water managers in the UK and Denmark. However, the restoration itself was carried out by national, regional and local partners of both governmental and private sectors. The partners both worked on the river Cole and Skerne (Holmes et al., 1998). The project partners of the river Skerne were:

    - National Rivers Authority (Environment Agency since 1996)

    - English Nature (Natural England since 2006)

    - Darlington Borough Council (landowner Skerne river)

    - Countryside Commission

    - Northumbrian Water

    - Department of Agriculture N. Ireland (individuals, not entire organization)

    - River Restoration Project (now River Restoration Centre)

    - National Trust (landowner Cole river)

    - Scottish Natural Heritage (individuals, not entire organization)

    Communication

    Communication with the public was an important part of the Skerne project and unique back in the day. The local residents were invited to give their opinion on the plans via the public perception surveys and were informed via leaflets, newsletters and public meetings during implementation. Their opinion was also an important part of the evaluation of the project success. Involving the landowner (Darlington Borough Council) as a project partner, further involved the voice of the community in the project.

    Funding

    The total budget of the project submitted to the EU-LIFE project was € 1,758,621.29, because Denmark was the leading partner. The UK budget was initially set at £850,000, but increased interest and support let the total project budget grow to almost £1 million.

    The project budget for both the Skerne and Cole was divided in 4 elements, each with a set amount of budget. - £350,000 for construction contracts - £200,000 for pre- and post-restoration monitoring studies - £190,000 for management, promotion, compensations and administration - +/- £190,000 for survey, design, contract documentation and site supervision

    The EU contribution to the total project was € 749,172.67.


    Contact

    River Restoration Centre

    Dr. Ulrika Åberg

    Tel.: 0044 1234 752979

    Email: u.aberg@cranfield.ac.uk

    Extra background information

    http://www.therrc.co.uk/rrc_river_projects1.php?csid=37

    This literature contains more information about river rehabilitation in general.

    De Waal L.C., Large A.R.G. and Wade P.M. (eds) (1998) Rehabilitation of Rivers - Principles and Implementation John Wiley & Sons, Chichester (344pp)

    Holmes N.T.H. (1998) A Review of River Rehabilitation in the UK 1990-1996 Environment Agency R&D Technical Report W175

    Boon, P.J. and Raven, P.J. eds. (2012) Revisiting the Case for River Conservation, in River Conservation and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Chichester, UK

    References

    Holmes, N.T.H., Nielsen, M.B., Vivash, R., Ottosen, O., Janes, M., Sørensen, H., Kronvang, B., Svendsen, L.M., Brookes, A., Fisher, K., Møller, B., Newson, M., Sear, D., Hoffmann, C.C., Pedersen, M.L., Øvig, L. (1998) Restoration of the Rivers Brede, Cole and Skerne: A joint Danish and British EU-LIFE demonstration project I – V, Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 8:185 - 255

    The effects of river restoration on the R. Cole and R. Skerne demonstration sites: Final Report, River Restoration Centre March 1999

    Brochure River Cole, restored 1995/6, River Restoration Centre

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