4. Opening up the River Beane

Themes: Water Quality, Habitats and Wildlife; People

Objectives:

  • That whatever the flow level, the river and its associated habitats, including banks and floodplains, are managed to support chalk stream species
  • That water quality, temperature and river bed quality are such that they support chalk stream ecology
  • To increase the attractiveness, visibility and public access, to enable people to appreciate the river (commensurate with managing and protecting sensitive habitats and species)

Project description

This project aims to remove, coppice or prune selected trees to increase the amount of light reaching the river. The river along this stretch is very over-shaded by mature trees and shrubs.

The value of the river for wildlife would be improved if more light could reach it, encouraging the growth of in-channel and bankside vegetation. If some of the overhanging and over-shading vegetation was cut back or removed, the public would also have a better view of the river from the adjacent public footpath.

This stretch of the river is owned by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and is adjacent to their Waterford Heath reserve.  Footpaths link the river to the reserve.

However, the river along this stretch is very over-shaded by mature trees and shrubs. In places they entirely block the river from view and prevent light from reaching the channel.

The current lack of light means that hardly any plants can grow in or alongside the river. The value of the river for wildlife would be improved if more light could reach it, encouraging the growth of in-channel and bankside vegetation. Such aquatic plants provide vital habitat for invertebrates and fish, and bankside plants would benefit small mammals, birds and insects.

If some of the overhanging and over-shading vegetation was cut back or removed, the public would also have a better view of the river from the adjacent public footpath. This would enhance the interest value and attractiveness of the views from the footpath, and would also increase public awareness of the river.

However, riverside trees can also be valuable for a range of animals, so care needs to be taken to avoid damaging the habitat for fish, bats, birds and other species. The aim of the project is to remove a minority of the trees only, to create ‘pockets’ of light and vision. The woodland character of the stretch will be preserved.

Grid reference: TL31431542
Project lead: Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Funding source: Nature Improvement Area funding (Defra)
Project start: November 2012
Project end: March 2013
Contact for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Opening up the River Beane

Design by LTD Design Consultants and build by Garganey Consulting.