2023-24 Tales from an East Anglian Riverbank - Portfolio - Page 17
MIDDLE YARE RESTORING NATURAL PROCESSES
CHALK TO SEA
Working with:
Norfolk Rivers Trust
Water Resources East
Anglian Water
EA Lead:
Amy Prendergast
The River Yare, a lowland chalk stream, has been
heavily modi昀椀ed for land drainage, leading to loss
of habitat, including rines and glides. Its
substrate is mostly sand or silt, with limited gravel
areas. The deep channel prevents high nows from
reaching the noodplain, causing silt buildup and a
lack of noral diversity.
This project restored a more natural channel,
allowing noodwaters to spill onto the noodplain,
crea}ng a diverse mosaic of wetland habitats that
bene昀椀t wildlife, water quality, and the
community.
Former overwide over-deep
channel
Outputs:
£413,000
Total Project Value
Crea}on of 3 ponds and scrapes
Restora}on of 330 m chalk stream habitat
Improved connec}on with noodplain
Improved management for 10 ha lowland
noodplain meadow (Low Street)
Crea}on of a
new channel
with a more
natural pro昀椀le
Outcomes:
£71,000
EA Funding
£342,000
Partnership Funding
Restored natural processes
Varied noodplain habitats with increased
biodiversity
Opportunity for use as a demonstra}on site
Be琀琀er understanding of green 昀椀nance
opportuni}es
New scrape to
hold water and
create we琀琀er
habitats
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