These superb post-construction and system response images are of the excellent restoration project on the River Witham at Manthorpe. They illustrate perfectly how the ecology has rapidly responded to lowland system naturalisation.

See more here:
youtube.com/watch?v=PtZikL…

The recent weather has seen varying degrees of channel response across the UK. Before we 'correct' these changes back to a state of static uniformity we should appreciate the river and floodplain diversity created naturally by active rivers. Langstrath Beck is very fine example.

Three FBA courses that may interest river practitioners. Learn quick and simple modelling techniques to develop restoration plans and see some of these for yourself on the fieldcourse.
Details of these and other courses are here:
fba.org.uk/shop/courses

This tree fell into Beehive Beck 25 years ago and was left alone. The watercourse is quite steep and fast flowing but residual roots and adjacent live wood has kept it in place creating nicely varied habitat.
Brilliant far sighted sensitive land management by James Robinson

Dynamic Rivers registered as a company 3 years ago today! Where has the time gone?
We are extremely proud and privilaged to have assisted on over 240 projects in that time, working with truly inspirational people and delivering for the environment on a daily basis.
THANKS ALL!

Small but perfectly formed!
This naturalisation work using targeted stream reconnection and on-site large wood is a delight, illustrating how self sustaining anastomosing ( ‘stage zero’ if you prefer) networks can be encouraged. Major credit to Ullswater Catchment Management CIC and the landowner.

Forgot to acknowledge Jen Selvidge at RSPB England who took the flowing water wetland image and these additional ones at the RSPB Geltsdale reserve.

Just been directed to these messages from James Rebanks . Well worth reading these as they provide a comprehensive and candid assessment of rewetting on a working farm...

The cold snap last week saw very different responses across floodplains where water simply accumulates compared to floodplains with flowing water. Water on the former was frozen, the later displayed amosaic of flowing wetlands and attracted plenty of bird life...

More examples of what our floodplains should and shouldn't be like.
The River Yeo on the left shows winter surface water compared to the over-dry valley floor on the right. Flooding isnt necessary to achieve wetting just restoration of natural drainage...

This image is insightful. Erosion on the South Queich has exposed 100 mm diameter plastic land drainage pipes. The extent of floodplain drainage on this river and many others is staggering and causes increased faster flooding downstream. Block these and this risk reduces. SIMPLE

A more insidious situation! This valley tributary is culverted, flowing rapidly into the river with no floodplain interaction whatsoever. Lots of tributaries disappear in this way and in combination increase flood risk downstream. Naturalise these to reduce flood risk. SIMPLE..

How many times have you seen this?
It is this ridiculous modification of floodplain tributaries into flow super-highways that has added to the massive flood burdon the UK has faced in the past week. Naturalise these everywhere and downstream flood risk will be reduced. SIMPLE...

Here are our thoughts on the interventions we posted on over Christmas.
We recognise our perspective is different from a fish or an insect but fundamentally options that naturalise deliver far more than those influenced/constrained by an engineering ethos.

Fancy adopting a few of these?

Last one just before the New Year. This time the images are of river scale interventions, some good some not so good. What do you think?
Our thoughts in 2024!

How about these upland interventions? Which would you be most proud of and can you rank them? Perhaps here (as well as in some of our previous posts in this series) a more engineered approach is justified?

Another set of images, this time of the use of wood across the valley bottom. Try ranking these in terms of impact and aesthetics...

A BIG WELCOME TO RORY CLEMENTS
Dynamic Rivers are pleased and excited to announce that Rory has joined our happy band, bringing a wealth of geomorphological and technical knowledge and experience to the team.
Rory will help us fulfil some big ambitions in 2024 and beyond...