Headwater for Healthy Rivers

Following a £229,000 Water Environment Grant (WEG), Nidderdale National Landscape is currently undertaking an ambitious project to improve the health of key waterbodies in the Humber river basin district.

As part of the project, work is being undertaken to identify and reduce erosion and sediment loads, as well as pollutants such as phosphate and ammonia. This will be achieved by implementing changes to land management practices, creating new riparian habitat and installing leaky dams.

In addition, sections of the River Laver, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) priority river system, are being modified to allow the passage of fish, including priority species European eel, bullhead, brook, river and sea lamprey, and brown trout.

The surveying and removal of Himalayan balsam, an invasive non-native species, is also being carried out in three headwater river waterbodies in Upper Nidderdale, including at a reservoir designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest.  Learn more about Himalayan balsam and how to identify it using this guide by the GB Non-native Species Secretariat.

All of these actions will significantly increase the water quality of the waterbodies and improve the biodiversity of the surrounding areas, including creating new wildlife habitats and opening up sections of the River Laver to spawning fish.

Education and training is being provided to local landowners and managers to promote best practice for the control of invasive non-native species and how to reduce sedimentation and pollution loads entering nearby watercourses.

Funding for this project is jointly provided through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).