March 2024

 
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) have teamed up with Hullavington Environmental Group to carry out restoration work along the Gauze Brook in North Wiltshire for the benefits of the people and wildlife that depend on it.

The Gauze Brook, located just outside Hullavington, was once a stronghold for water voles, white-clawed crayfish, and a diverse population of coarse fish. However, as a result of a range of pressures, these populations have dramatically declined. Riverfly sampling, which was carried out by the Hullavington Environmental Group, revealed that invertebrate species were below the threshold set by the Environment Agency by 63% and 66% at two sites.

The project, which began in September 2023, will see the much-needed restoration work along a 0.5km stretch of the river until later this year in August.

Building on walkover surveys and landowner engagement, the work will include strategically coppicing riparian trees allow more light to into the river and reach the ideal 60:40 ratio of light to shade. Tree planting has also taken place over November and December to provide shade to appropriate areas of the river. Wood from the coppiced trees will then be recycled and used as berms, creating more diverse flow patterns in areas of the river that have been straightened and widened. This will also provide vital cover and refuge for fish to hide from predators.


With these measures in place, it is hoped fish and invertebrate populations will be make use of the  new spawning habitats and will being to  thrive again, improving the ecology and health of the brook.

With the learning and expertise of BART, Hullavington Environmental Group and the local residents will be able to better deliver restoration work along their river and feel even more connected to their natural environment. With training, the local community will be able to manage the upkeep of the river and maintain a better, healthier status.

We are really looking forward to further work that will be carried out on the river over the course of the year.

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The Aquatic Quality Award (AQUA), which aims to protect UK flora and fauna from invasive species, is receiving funding from Defra to expand due to its success.

Led by the Bristol Zoological Society, the scheme began in 2019 and has since built a network of sites, angler groups, fisheries, and water managers to help protect our native species from invasive species, which cost the UK more than £1.8bn annually.

Read more about the scheme here.

 

 
A 2-week consultation window, which was opened in February, has now concluded. The Defra plans included 27 new bathing water sites, with the results now pending. Included on the list is the Somerset Frome at Farleigh Hungerford, which was the only area included from inside Bristol Avon Catchment.

To read more about the Defra plans, visit the Government website here.

 

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Wider news

 
The charity River Action is taking the Environment Agency to court over chicken manure polluting the River Wye, stating that they have not enforced laws to keep the river healthy. Last year, the river’s status was downgraded to unfavourable.
About a quarter of the UK’s total chicken production is in the Wye’s catchment area, with over 20 million chickens present at one time. Studies by Lancaster University have shown that 70% of the phosphate in the river comes from agriculture, however that is not all chicken related.

Chicken manure contains high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus, making a great fertiliser, but poor management can result in this entering nearby water courses and declining water quality.

Read more about the event here.