22-09-2022

It’s been a few weeks since our last update. Machinery has now moved off the central Burton Washlands and the floodplain improvements have been completed!

Over the Autumn and Winter we are hoping for more rain to bring more water to the seasonal pools and we expect to see them starting to vegetate. As the winter floods come in you may see some movement in the exposed gravels and soils across the reprofiled river sections in particular. This is normal and an expected part of the process by which the river re-establishes its natural sediment movements and water flow. It is these river dynamics that continuously refresh the river bank habitat making it attractive to spawning fish and many of the rarer invertebrate species.

This week on the 22nd and 23rd September we will be spreading seed across the large areas of spoil which have been created by the excavations. Some areas where conditions are suitable, have been targeted for floodplain meadow flowers which you will start to see in May 2023. Large portions of the grassland across the Burton Washlands will be managed with wildflowers and pollinators in mind and will have a rest period from cuts during the summer months (May – July). Amenity areas and walkways will also be maintained to continue public access and enjoyment of the meadows.

 01-09-2022

The creation of wetlands within the floodplain is moving into its final stage. Currently they are visually impactful as large areas of bare earth and associated spoil areas, which we understand is not aesthetically pleasing to all. We ask you to bear with us, over the next year these features will soften, the soil will be reseeded and the pools and scrapes will start to fill up with water over the winter season and colonise with wetland vegetation. These will be little oases for floodplain wildlife to thrive right in the heart of Burton, and a beautiful more natural environment for you to spend your time in.

New scrape with ‘riverine’ pools bringing water through the feature

Our remaining program of excavations will continue until approximately mid September.

Bank lowering Burton Bridge Island carried out by Catchment Designs Ltd.

We are also excited to have trainees from our Transforming Lives project to plant some local native wildflower plugs within the grassland areas. Around 1000 plants are being planted in strategic locations during the week of the 5th September.

Wildflower plug plants © Simon Lowe Transforming Lives Officer

 18-08-2022

We are around half way through our program of works to improve the connectivity of the wetland environment across the Burton Washlands floodplain. This will provide stepping stones for wildlife throughout the area giving them a stronger chance at maintaining robust populations to help with pressures such as climate change. With the recent heat waves any extra habitat we can create will provide valuable shelter once they are fully established.

We have now completed the creation of three scrapes/pools and area of river bank reprofiling and have started on the excavations of a fourth scrape and lowering the banks of the Silverway. Currently these features look very dry! This is because the water table is so low after the long period with little rain. They will start to store water in the pools and scrapes once wet weather returns. We are excited about the completed area of river reprofiling which has created a feature which is scarce along the river Trent and provides valuable opportunities for breeding fish and aquatic invertebrates. The widening of the river here will also reduce pressure on the opposite bank during flood events as there is more space now for the river to spread out!

Our next phase will be starting the creation of a wetland on the Horse Holme area. This will start during the week of the 22nd August. The spoil will be going on the disused rugby pitch on Oxhay Fields, this will be reseeded with a species-rich mix of wildflowers later in September.

We want to thank the public for their understanding and cooperation whilst works are underway and ask that you continue to keep your distance if you see contractors working.

 05-08-2022

You may have noticed the excavations of wetland features are well underway. At the moment the look a bit rough but over time they will develop into valuable wildlife habitat. Large areas of spoil look unsightly at the moment but rest assured they will be reseeded and will return to grassland over the next few months. So far three ponds / scrapes have been completed and we will shortly complete the area of river reprofiling near to Burton Mail Woodland. The next phase will look at bank lowering along the Silverway river channel which is likely to start next week Tuesday 9th August. We want to thank the public for their understanding and cooperation whilst works are underway and ask that you continue to keep your distance if you see contractors working. It has been lovely to receive your positive comments when you have seen us on site, we hope that you will continue to enjoy spending time in the Burton Washlands Floodplain and spot more wildlife in the area as a result of the enhancements. Please get in touch if you wish to report a wildlife sighting! You can do this through our Big Washlands Watch project.

 23-06-2022

Preparatory tree management works are planned to start on Wednesday 6th July near the riverbank alongside the Burton Mail Woodland. Please keep your distance if you see contractors working. Please note that not all of the trees with red crosses on them are due to be removed. The crosses remain from the planning and preparation work associated with this project.

The main excavation works are due to start on 18th July for the river reprofiling alongside the Burton Mail Woodland before moving to other areas. Whilst excavations are being carried out please could you keep your distance from machinery and follow the signposted diversions along alternative footpaths.

 22-04-2022

We held a public information event at the Burton Library on Wednesday 18th May from 4pm to 7pm to discuss the plans for the upcoming habitat enhancement works that will take place on the Burton Washlands this summer.

 09-08-2021

We will be enhancing 5 hectares of grassland on the Burton Washlands this August which will contribute towards improving biodiversity on the floodplain by enriching the area with native wild flowers. This will provide a crucial pollen resource for insects such as bees and butterflies and enable local users of the floodplain to become more closely connected to nature on their doorstep. The areas where we will be enhancing may look temporarily bare in patches, this is to enable the flower seed to reach the soils. Please bare with us as grasslands can take some time to reach their full potential as wildflower meadows.

 01-06-2021

Due to poor weather conditions in early 2021, we were unable to dig the proposed test pits in January as planned. This work has been postponed and is expected to take place in this summer. Further details will be posted here in due course.

 17-12-2020

We will be delivering the biodiversity enhancement program as set out in the Burton Washlands Vision through our Living Floodplains project.

Prior to the delivery of this program, we need to understand the geology of the Washlands before we are able to confirm a final suite of biodiversity projects. One of the steps in this process is to dig a series of test pits. We will be digging approximately 10 test pits across the Washlands in January 2021 as part of our investigations.

Test pits are dug to sample the composition and structure of the soils below ground level. They will be analysed before being refilled on the same day.

Why is the river no longer dredged?

Dredging has long been used as a form of flood management and involves the removal of sediment from the bottom and sides of river channels. It can also include the straightening and deepening of channels. Increased awareness of the impacts of dredging has revealed that as a form of flood management, it is not as effective as was originally thought. Although water levels in rivers have been seen to decrease where dredging has taken place, this is dependent on local conditions and doesn’t necessarily lead to reductions in flood risk.

Areas downstream from where dredging has taken place often experience exacerbated flooding due to the increase in discharge channelled downstream. Dredging also damages river ecosystems by directly affecting its physical habitat, disrupting riverine processes and reducing connectivity with the floodplain. Direct removal of sediment can impact specialised species such as invertebrates whilst making the channel more vulnerable to invasive non-native species such as signal crayfish and Himalayan balsam.

We have now entered a period where we are aiming to restore our rivers to a more natural profile and use more sustainable, holistic and natural management methods. These are better for us, our communities and our wildlife. Natural flood management techniques include the restoration, enhancement and alteration of natural features and characteristics but exclude traditional hard engineering flood defences that work against or disrupt natural processes.

What does river re-profiling mean?

River re-profiling involves the reshaping of a river’s banks. Due to the channelisation of the majority of our rivers, banks are often very steep. This makes it hard for plants to establish, and leaves few refuge spots for fish and invertebrates. Re-profiling creates areas of slower flowing water which are used as resting and nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates, and increases vegetation cover for mammals such as otter and water vole.

Will the ponds be a safe depth?

The ponds have wide, shallow and vegetated margins and the depth increases gradually into the middle of the pond. We strongly encourage people to keep a safe distance from the edge of the ponds and to prevent dogs from entering, to keep the wildlife within them safe.

Will the fish get stranded when it floods?

It is possible for fish to be stranded within floodplain habitats. It is a natural process and something which happens regularly across all floodplains. The fish may survive until the next flood where they might rejoin the river, or they may be predated by other animals.

Will the ponds and scrapes silt up?

Floodwaters can carry silt and sediment which can be dropped into the ponds and scrapes when floodwaters recede. This can happen over many years and it is a natural part of floodplain habitats. Shallow scrapes like the ones created on the Washlands are dynamic habitats and are designed to evolve over their lifetime. As the ponds and scrapes silt up, they will create new habitats which are used by different species of animals.

Are the Washlands holding more flood water?

The recent work is not to increase or decrease the capacity of the floodplain to hold water so it will not make any difference to flooding on the Washlands. We haven’t taken any material out of the floodplain so there is no change to floodwater storage capacity.

Why are we doing it then?

Floodplain habitats are very important for wildlife and the Burton Washlands provides a rare opportunity to create more of it. By digging ponds and scrapes in the floodplain we are helping to improve biodiversity and make space for nature.

What is the management of the Washlands?

The management of the Washlands won’t change much. Some areas of the grasslands will be cut less often during summer to create rich wildflower meadows for bees and insects to feed on. Other small areas may be managed in a more natural way, by reducing the amount of interference and letting nature take its course.

What have we done to the Silverway?

The Silverway has had its banks flattened to create more ponds and wet areas on either side. These areas will provide new habitat for animals like wading birds and amphibians. We have not done any work to the main channel and we have not changed its original path.

Will the number of mosquitoes on the Washlands increase?

Scrapes and pools are seasonal/temporary and the main focus is the benefits they bring to breeding waders, which have a seen a massive decline over the last few decades. Research indicates that repeated cycles of wetting and drying turbid water in areas with little vegetation may lead to increases in mosquito numbers.

The pools and scrapes planned through this scheme have vegetated margins and, as such, are able to reduce the stagnant conditions through nutrient cycling of the colonising aquatic plants. They will also provide habitat for wetland creatures which will feed upon mosquitoes and their larvae, thus reducing the risk of a population increase.

We have been monitoring how the water is retained on the Washlands, and have formalised some of these areas to improve water retention. This means there is no net change to the wetting and drying, simply an improvement to the floodplain. It is hoped that through the improvement of wetland habitat, we will see an increase in the breeding wader population, which will appeal to birdwatchers. Furthermore, the wetlands will be attractive and improve the aesthetic value of the Washlands to visitors crossing the many bridges in the town. Part of the vision to be delivered by ESBC is to construct boardwalks to improve accessibility during flooding and allow people to get up close to wetland habitats.