Home / Environment / River Rewiggled: Wildlife Set to Explode!
River Rewiggled: Wildlife Set to Explode!
1 Jul
Summary
- River Kemp's straightened section restored after 18 months.
- Restoration aims to boost biodiversity and natural flood defenses.
- Landowners and conservation groups collaborated on the project.
After an 18-month restoration effort, the River Kemp in south Shropshire now flows through its original meander. This section of the river had been straightened by landowners over a century ago, which disconnected it from its natural floodplain and reduced biodiversity.
The "Walcot Wiggle" project, led by the Severn Rivers Trust with local landowners, has successfully restored the river's natural course. This intervention is anticipated to cause a significant increase in local wildlife, including wading birds and insects, due to the creation of a more varied wet-dry landscape.
The re-established meander will allow the river to interact more with its floodplain, helping to hold large amounts of water. This capacity is expected to reduce downstream flooding. The project also ensures that local farmers can continue to graze their land despite the ecological enhancements.
This restoration involved collaboration with Catchment Sensitive Farming, the Environment Agency, and the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Team. The initiative, which began with smaller wildlife enhancements, culminated in rerouting the river to support habitats for species relying on natural gravels and varied channel conditions.
