Home / Environment / River Kemp's Wild Return: A Centuries-Old Wiggle Reborn
River Kemp's Wild Return: A Centuries-Old Wiggle Reborn
3 Jul
Summary
- River Kemp in Shropshire was restored to its original winding path.
- The project involved 18 months of engineering and conservation efforts.
- Restoration aims to reduce flooding and create wildlife habitats.
In a remarkable feat of environmental restoration, the River Kemp in south Shropshire has been returned to its original meandering path after more than a century of being channelized. The "Walcot Wiggle," a natural route abandoned by landowners in the 1800s, has been revived through an 18-month project. This initiative, spearheaded by the Severn Rivers Trust with local collaboration, signifies a significant step in ecological recovery.
The straightened river previously bypassed its floodplain, exacerbating flood risks. The restored, wider, and shallower course will now allow the river to gently spill into surrounding wetlands during heavy rainfall. This natural regulation is expected to mitigate flooding downstream. Furthermore, the revitalized wetlands are poised to become a sanctuary for a rich array of wildlife, including insects, fish, wildflowers, and birds.
The project's significance extends to the River Clun headwaters, a critical habitat for the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. The restoration of the River Kemp is therefore vital for both local biodiversity and internationally important species, promising a return of natural shaping power to the waterway.
