river restoration

Question 1

river restoration

Answer 1

restoring river that has undergone hard engineering back to its original course
helps to reverse any environmental and ecological damage introduced by hard engineering

Question 2

river skerne - context

Answer 2

triburary river of river Tees - flowing through Durham (Darlington)
till 1945 - straightened river to accommodate industrialisation
till 1970 - widening and deepening to improve drainage and reduce flooding
deindustrialisation - left polluted wasteland (floodplain heightened due to industrial waste)
restored between 1995-1998

Question 3

Aims

Answer 3

restore 2km of river in terms of physical features, flood management, water quality
reduce flood risk
monitor changes to aid other ivers and see if actions put in place work

Question 4

parties involed

Answer 4

led by river restoration project (RRP)
in partnership with Darlington borough conuncil and other environmental agencies

Question 5

techniques

Answer 5

meanders added - not possible everwhere but slows down water by allowing river to take more natural course
where meanders werent possible - straight course enhanzed by riffles and flow deflectors forcing water to change direction (slowing flow down)
landscaping and planting - allowing river to overspil and still protect surrounding areas
floodplain lowered (increase capacity) planted 20,000 trees
backwaters - important for wildlife and in high flows provides shelter for fish

Question 6

challenges

Answer 6

has many risks - can lead to flooding, increases erosion and huge cost

Question 7

successes

Answer 7

increased biodivrsity (previously absent species have been recorded e.g., dragonflies)
water quality improved - leading to cleaner and more visually appealing river
flood management - flood risk managed by slowing surface run fof and increasing river capacity (low risk means more business move into area)
no significant erosion despite years of flood events