Lymington River Reedbed SSSI
Water level management plan
The Lymington River Reedbed Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is deteriorating. To help restore the site, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust are implementing the recommendations of a water level management plan (WLMP) for the SSSI.
One of three existing tidal flaps (designed to exclude seawater from the upper estuary) will be replaced with a Self-Regulating Tidal Gate, as part of a two-year reversible trial. The two year trial, anticipated to commence in Spring 2010, will be accompanied by monitoring that will aim to record any changes to the habitat over the two years. This data will allow the partners to maximise the overall environmental benefits of the plan by making any adjustments to the gate opening frequency and will be evaluated to inform any long-term decision on the management of the site.
For all questions about this water level management plan, please contact:-
Helen Clayton, Environment Agency, 01794 832759, helen.clayton@environment-agency.gov.uk or James Walton, Environment Agency, 01794 832721, james.walton@environment-agency.gov.uk.
The feasibility report details and reviews the proposed options for allowing some tidal water to once again flow upstream of the Lymington Bridge Road. This report and appendices can be obtained below.
Appendix A - Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Consultation Report (April 2009)
This report presents the findings of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping study for the proposed WLMP for the Lymington River Reedbeds SSSI. It identifies the potential environmental effects on both in-stream and riverbank habitats that might occur from a change in water levels and water type upstream of Bridge Road.
Appendix B1 - Flood Risk Assessment Report - All Options (April 2008)
The Flood Risk Assessment considers the flooding risks posed by a range of options for the alteration of the three tidal flaps beneath Bridge Road. This report presents the results produced by a numeric model, when one, two or three of the tidal flaps are open under different combinations of river flows and tidal levels. Consideration has also been given to the effects of climate change on river flow and sea levels.
Appendix B2 - Flood Risk Assessment Report - Preferred Option (March 2009)
This report is a more detailed analysis of the impacts of the preferred option of opening just one of the tidal flaps. The report looks at the flood risk associated with this option under a range of river flows and tide levels. A recommendation is made to close the tidal flap, under certain conditions, to manage this risk.
Appendix C - Predictions of Inter-tidal Habitat Evolution (April 2008)
This Technical Note summarises the predictions of habitat evolution that could result from the implementation of the proposed WLMP. Predictions are made for possible changes to tidal water levels which could result from the scheme, across the upper estuary north of Bridge Road. This information is used to support the predictions of long-term best case and worst case habitat evolution across the SSSI.
Appendix D - Contaminated Land Technical Note (March 2008)
This Technical Note assesses the risks of the WLMP scheme to known areas of contaminated land identified in the local area.
Appendix E - Structural Technical Note (February 2008)
This Technical Note outlines the findings from a structural inspection of the three tidal flaps (as well as the tidal gate which also limits tidal flow at Bridge Road), and suggests which of the existing structures are suitable for modification in order to allow tidal flow upstream of Bridge Road.
