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The purpose of the weir at Hatchford Brook was no longer clear. Its impact on aquatic wildlife and river health, however, proved detrimental. Starting with the weir removal, we then broadened our focus and created new niches for wildlife in the river bank woodland.
In removing the weir and restoring habitat in this urban refuge, our work contributed to the growing and record-breaking Dam Removal Europe movement. Locally, it demonstrated how reaching for the high-hanging fruit – in this instance weir removals – can achieve a lot on little space.
Nestled in the outskirts of Birmingham, near the airport, we saw a wildlife refuge with potential. The brook in Sheldon Country park had been straightened, was overwide, over deep with steep vertical banks and a flat bed. While some wildlife i.e. small fish populations had settled in the brook, the shape of the channel made it difficult for wildlife to thrive. Two disused weirs, and a woodland left unmanaged for 40 years added greenery, but little habitat. To inject more life into this urban park, this Capital Works project created a more diverse and connected habitat including safe public access to the previously overgrown watercourse.
The key here was the removal of two redundant weirs. Barriers strip flowing water of its capacity to transport gravels and nutrients further downstream. A channel that would otherwise offer a mosaic of habitats, nooks and crevices is instead impounded and monotonous – not only reducing connectivity, but also impacting biodiversity and water quality.
Following two projects further upstream, it was time to restore the Hatchford Brook to its former glory – a babbling stream bursting with life. A key part of the work focused on making the water flow more naturally connecting habitat for aquatic species. We removed the two weirs, reshaped river banks to create a greater variety of features, replaced long lengths of nettle-covered banks with a shallower, meandering slope, and introduced gravel to enhance and create riffle beds attracting a range of species.
Beyond the brook, we created a new wetland area to attract invertebrates and birds feeding off them including a diversified woodland to make space for smaller trees to grow and attract different species.
As it is the case in many of our projects, our work has been supported by local volunteer groups. Sharing some of the skills needed to look after this treasured watercourse, we worked with the local Waterside Care Group, which had been excited to see their green corner restored:
‘Some years ago, the idea of removing the weirs was only a pipe dream even though the advantages of such actions were known to us all.’
Volunteers from the Waterside Care Group
Looking to the future, the Trent Rivers Trust is looking to expand its project portfolio in urban settings. Urban rivers are under pressure, often heavily modified and at risk of diffuse and point-source pollution. Projects such as our work in Hatchford Brook can, therefore, produce high-impact results and not only create a refuge for urban wildlife but also the well-being of local people. We are developing a comprehensive management plan, will continue to monitor water quality and use the brook as an urban river restoration demonstration site.
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Ilkeston
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