LOCATION:
A stretch of the Little Stour River at Seaton, near Wickhambreaux.

DATE:
October 2016.

WHAT WE DID:
The aim was to restore this stretch of river by changing the profile of the riverbed. Using a mechanical excavator we dug a series of pools into the riverbed and used teh gravels to create berms at the river’s edge. The result is a narrower, deeper, winding channel during summer when the water level is low. We also fenced the riverbanks to prevent cattle grazing and made repairs to a flood defence bund.

BENEFITS:
Passage is now easier for fish and a more varied habitat will develop for all aquatic wildlife. Deeper water will also be cooler in the hotter temperatures expected with climate change over the coming decades. Fencing has allowed wild plants to grow in the water and on the banks, providing better habitat for wildlife – fringing plants, for example, are a refuge for juvenile fish. Repairs to the bund will better manage flood risk for nearby homes and businesses.

PARTNERSHIP:
This project was funded by the Environment Agency with the support of the local landowners.

For further information you can download the Seaton River Restoration leaflet (PDF 2.4MB)

The first video below shows drone footage recorded  immediately after the project was completed. The second was recorded 6 years later, in 2022. You can see how the vegetation has dramatically increased, while the river has become narrower and more winding.