A Quality River!

In part two of their river restoration practical today, Foundation Degree students carried out some simple measures to diversify the in-stream ecological conditions to help improve localised water quality in the Moulton Brook. Students started by pruning back willow growth from the old willow revetments (Plate 1).

Plate 1: Students Becka and Eleanor cutting back residual growth of willow from established revetments.

Using waste trimmings, a simple flow deflector was created to help flush sediment down the stream and create a 'run' that would benefit aquatic life (Plate 2).

Plate 2: Completed flow deflector to improve water flow rates in the Brook.

So in effect freshwater habitats can be managed in an imaginative way, just as traditional methods work in terrestrial systems. To finish off the session, Nat', Dan and Sophie carried out a quick 'kick sample' to sample the macro-invertebrate life in this section of the stream. They found some cased caddis-flies, an indicator of moderate to clean water quality.

Next week we are off to the woods, so check back soon!