A new collaboration aims to enhance wildlife habitats and manage flood risks in Norfolk.
The Environment Agency and the Norfolk Rivers Trust have partnered to launch a project concentrated on the River Glaven, a rare chalk stream home to endangered wildlife.
The two-year project, costing £130k, was funded by the Environment Agency and other partners.
One of the 200 globally identified chalk streams, this location in North Norfolk is among 58 such habitats found in East Anglia.
£130k project on River Glaven chalk stream redefines flood management & wildlife nurturing (Image: Submitted)
The project focuses on improving the conditions of the River Glaven floodplain to improve water quality and diversify habitats.
Various restoration steps were planned, including the meandering of a river channel through an array of newly formed floodplain wetlands.
This method supports the natural filtering of water, reducing nutrient loading and elevating the quality of water in the Glaven.
Besides, the wetlands are designed to enhance water storage during high flows, encouraging natural flood management and increased ground permeation.
Amy Prendergast, a catchment-coordinator for Broadland and North Norfolk at the Environment Agency, said: "We are thrilled to support this remarkable project near Bayfield to create wetland habitats and improve the River Glaven, a chalk stream.
"Collaborating with the Norfolk Rivers Trust has enabled us to stretch the Water Environment Improvement Funding from the Environment Agency further, leveraging additional investments and funding sources for greater impact."
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Jonah Tosney, technical director at Norfolk Rivers Trust, explained how an existing ditch was excavated and diverted through the floodplain to slow water flow.
New wetland pools were created to amplify wildlife benefits.
"We look forward to the site further naturalising, with rough and varied vegetation encouraged through grazing practices.
"The enhanced habitat is already being used by frogs, eels, egrets and otters, which is really promising, and we hope additional species will move in such as water-voles and grass-snakes.”
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