Background The River Wharfe is a nationally important river designated as a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its contrasting upland and lowland character important for its wildlife and habitat. The SSSI status covers the river channel and small areas of adjacent floodplain between Buckden andupstream of the River Skirfare confluence near Kettlewell. The River Wharfe is within the protected countryside of the Yorkshire Dales National Park important for its outstanding scenery, wildlife and cultural heritage. DescriptionThe River Wharfe SSSI is currently in poor condition preventing the river from functioning naturally, reducing its ecological health and stopping the SSSI from reaching its potential.

We were asked to produce an ecologically desirable vision for the River Wharfe SSSI that would be characteristic of the river without morphological restrictions. This involved developing a conceptual model of the current functioning of the river and floodplain now and in the future. This would form a draft river restoration plan for consultation with stakeholders.

What we didWe undertook an Integrated Riparian Survey (IRiS) of the Wharfe between Hubberholme and the confluence of the Wharfe with the Skirfare. This recorded the vegetation in the channel, margins and banks every 250 metres and mapped all invasive species and habitats present on the floodplain in Phase 1 Habitat format. In addition all geomorphological features in the river were target noted and any colonising vegetation surveyed.

The morphology of the river was described and, on the basis of these results, the river was divided into a number of functional reaches for which we devised restoration measures.

Summary of Project Outcomes The project involved:

• The mapping of 10km of the floodplain to Phase 1 standard with target notes

• The mapping of all palaeo-features on the floodplain and their vegetation described

Restoring the River Wharfe SSSI: A River Restoration Plan

Client, Stakeholders, Partners: Natural England; Environment Agency, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, National Trust, Yorkshire Dales Rivers TrustLocation: Kettlewell, North Yorkshire Date/Phase: Feasibility Stage 2012Key: Geomorphology, Stakeholder Engagement, Ecology, International Riparian Survey (IRiS), Phase 1Habitat Survey, River Typology, Morphology

PROJECT |

• The mapping of all the morphological features within and alongside the channel: these were also target noted and described and any vegetation present surveyed

• The identification of a number of morphological units were identified which were characterised and mapped. Stakeholder engagement and public participation events were essential throughout this project. Allowing us to produce an outline ‘vision’ for the river, based on the specific recommendations for the functional reaches that we identified. The Vision for the River Wharfe • A dynamic and diverse river bed which is suitable for fish and invertebrates.

• Variable channel features with a variety of river depths and flow speeds.

• Varied bankside plant structure, including areas of shading and occasional open stretches of floodplain meadow.

• Diverse plant, invertebrate and breeding bird communities that are able to use the river corridor with minimal disturbance.

• Low levels of river engineering allowing natural movement of the channel within a narrow riparian strip.

• Increased connection with the floodplain where wet grassland and meadows, fen, carr and wooded areas may develop.

• Enhance the landscape character’s natural beauty, diversity and setting of the river and its floodplain

Project Benefits The ‘vision’ for the river has led to a project board to be set up by the Yorkshire dales Rivers Trust. Their aim is to deliver some of the projects highlighted in the plan through working with farmers and landowners, including fisheries interests. The Trust has engaged volunteers in Himalayan balsam pulling, willow spiling and tree planting along the river. They are also seeking funding from project partners for larger-scale projects.

Lessons learnt • Eco-hydromorphology assessments are more productive in specialist teams

• Consultation at an early stage in the process is desirable to ensure stakeholder and landowner buy-in and reduce any delays to the project

• Ensure ‘informal’ time is allowed for in public events to allow private discussion with individuals who are not prepared to speak in public

• Identification of key individuals who can help take the restoration project forward ContactKieran Sheehan: kieran.sheehan@jbaconsulting.com or Matthew Hemsworth: matthew.hemsworth@jbaconsulting.com for more information see: Link