BK 3 River Skerne Restoration

Question 1

what’s the location of the river skerne

Answer 1

within Haughton - le - Skerne, Darlington

Question 2

how much of the river was restored

Answer 2

2km

Question 3

what are 3 main facts about the restoration
project

Answer 3

-the project lasted 3 years, between 1995 and 1998, although the river has been straightened and deepened for the last 200 years
-the river has a high sediment load, slow moving etc
-housing, pipes and cables limited the project

Question 4

what we’re the two main aims of the project

Answer 4

1) restoration of 2km of the river, for flood management, physical features, habitats and water quality etc
2)knowledge and further understanding of the river restoration strategy

Question 5

why did the project take place

Answer 5

to improve the quality of the river without limiting its surrounding flood defence

Question 6

what 5 things actually took place during the restoration project

Answer 6

-re meandering the course, creating foot paths and public access
-river banks were reprofileed
-lowering floodplains, made them able to store more water
-willow trees planted to protect the bank from erosion
-new habitats created and an increase in biodiversity

Question 7

what impacts did the project have on run off, infiltration and interception

Answer 7

run off- less because there’s more green and natural areas

infiltration - increased because little concrete/non-permeable surfaces

interception - increased, 20,000 trees planted by local school children

Question 8

what 4 ways has the restoration project impacted people

Answer 8

1)more footpaths and close access to the river, could be used for recreation
2)local community had impact on planning etc
3)more attractive and pleasant greener community
4)education, for schools or local people on restoration

Question 9

what 4 ways has the restoration project impacted the environment

Answer 9

-improved sewage systems
-lowered floodplains and created shallow wetlands
-created and encouraged new habitats and biodiversity
-improved water quality and visually too

Question 10

what are 4 reasons why the project was a success

Answer 10

1)over 82% supported the project 1 year after it started
2)local schools and colleges have shown interest
3)new species have been recorded like swans, fish and dragonflies have been recorded
4)quality of water entering the river has improved

Question 11

what’s the biggest limitation of the project

Answer 11

only 2km of the river was restored, in proportion to the actual size of the river this isn’t a lot when the river is 40km long

Question 12

what are two other examples of river restoration projects

Answer 12

The Cheonggyecheon river project, South Korea

The river Coke , Swindon