Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 17.1 An example of river restoration in the United Kingdom
PROJECT NAME: River Skerne in Darlington, United
Kingdom
BACKGROUND:
• A straightened and realigned river due to a com-
bination of industrialization and urbanization over
some 200 years.
• A 2 km reach was chosen for restoration.
AIMS:
• Re-create
spoil disposal, landscaping, surface water outfall
rationalization, backwater creation, soft revetment
engineering (i.e. bankside protection to prevent
erosion by using plants), increasing fl oodplain
storage, extensive marginal planting of native
species and the creation of wetland scrapes.
PROJECT FUNDING:
• EU, statutory government environmental agencies
and the landowner (local council).
BENEFITS:
• A more natural river system with improved self-
regulatory capacity.
• Improved fl ood management.
• Increased wildlife and improved water quality.
• Amenity and landscape appeal - 'a piece of coun-
tryside in a town'.
a
more
naturally
functioning
watercourse.
• Develop an attractive local community landscape
and encourage local public engagement throughout
the project to ensure project 'ownership' (Figure
17.4)
TECHNIQUES USED:
• In-channel defl ectors to re-create sinuosity and
fl ow diversity, bank reprofi ling, channel narrowing,
(a)
Figure 17.4
River Skerne, Darlington, United Kingdom: (a) before restoration, (b) log toe revetment (i.e. support at the
bottom of the bank using tree trunks) during construction on the river (courtesy of Northumbrian Water, United Kingdom)
and (c) after restoration.
