River restoration & fisheries management
The rivers at Winnall Moors form part of the River Itchen Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive; notably for its unique chalk stream habitats. This offers it the highest form of protection for wildlife in the UK. European protected species found in the river at Winnall Moors include, otter, brook lamprey, bullhead and atlantic salmon. The area is also protected under UK legislation: it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Prior to the Heritage Lottery Fund restoration project the rivers at Winnall Moors appeared more as a series of sluggish canals. Changes in management over the past 400 years had altered the natural form resulting in a river very different to the chalk river that typifies the Itchen. More modern forms of river management outside of the Wildlife Trust’s control had also created seriously degraded and neglected sections of river channel within the reserve. Spawning habitat for wild brown trout and salmon was extremely limited with poor areas of cover for young fish, while the river had become completely disconnected from the floodplain.
The project has undertaken two bold restoration and enhancement schemes; the Barton Carrier (water meadow tributary of the River Itchen) and the Main River. Combined this accounts for nearly two miles of watercourse. With long-term sustainability at the heart of this work innovative techniques have been utlised. The steep sided, silty canals now flow with more vigour offering more sinuosity, abundant aquatic vegetation and a variety of pools and riffles. Atlantic salmon are already suffering worrying declines across the UK due to climate change and loss of habitat, so the works at Winnall will provide that little bit of help for this flagship migratory species.
Find out more about the Barton Carrier restoration.
*** STOP PRESS*** Oct 2011 - river restoration wins conservation award.
