Chalk streams are a rare and valuable habitat, often referred to
as the equivalent of England’s rainforests.
Since 2020 the Environment Agency has been working in partnership
with Norfolk Rivers Trust to improve an internationally important
chalk stream, the River Wensum.
Works taking place in Foulsham and Pudding Norton on 2
tributaries of the river has improved water quantity and quality.
This was done by restoring the rivers flow to be more natural and
improving the physical quality of the local habitat.
The works involved re-instating natural processes by creating a
new shallow meandering channel and reconnecting the river with
the surrounding floodplain. The interventions are nature-based
solutions and help reduce run-off. They also hold water on the
sites for longer to reduce flood risk, and help aquifers to
recharge. Aquifers are where we get our drinking wate
As well as reducing agriculture run off to improve water quality,
the project also benefited fish populations by providing refuges
and spawning habitat.
Amy Prendergast, a catchment coordinator for Norfolk, at the
Environment Agency said:
It is great to be able to complete a project which has so many
benefits. Our work with Norfolk Rivers Trust has improved water
quality, reduced flood risk and will help nature during times of
prolonged dry weather.
This has been achieved using various methods including creating
pools out of existing ditches and creating scrapes to naturally
trap sediment from arable land. A massive thanks to the landowner
for working with us and making this possible.
Rebecca Banks, Senior Project Officer at Norfolk Rivers Trust,
said:
We’re thrilled with the initial result of these two restoration
and enhancement projects and can’t wait to see the sites develop
and evolve over time. Careful planning and surveys have ensured
maximum benefit for nature and the environment with a return to a
more naturally functioning floodplain.
In Pudding Norton 8 hectares of flood plain was restored, 4
shallow ponds, 2 pools and more than 1100 metres of channel were
created.
In Foulsham 6 hectares of floodplain and meadow was restored, 4
shallow ponds, 5 pools and 500 metres of channel were created.
Upstream the Norfolk Rivers Trust have implemented measures to
reduce diffuse pollution through their water sensitive farming
initiative. This has involved on farm and in ditch wetlands,
outdoor pig grass cover trials, sediment traps and leaky dams.
