The water level on the River Avon is not just dependant on rain fall – there are many control structures on the river that hold water back or direct the water on a different route.

For several years now, the Water Level Management Plan team at the Environment Agency in Blandford have been working to improve water levels on the River Avon and it’s tributaries, so that the levels are maximised for wildlife, but at the same time balancing the human need and flood risk. Such a project can involve repairing sluice structures so they are safe to operate and provide fish passage; restoring water meadow channels to provide habitat diversity and flood storage; enhancing the features of structures, such as providing bat boxes or otter holts; installing gauge boards; and reviewing the operation of the structures so that they are managed in an agreed way under different flow conditions. This is because the same structures that can support wetland interests, can also obstruct fish passage at times or create extensive impoundment and siltation issues. Sometimes the structures have great historical significance and are classed as listed buildings, so they have to be restored very sympathetically, but in some instances, new solutions can utilise recycled materials to limit the carbon footprint.

The WLMP team will have completed twelve projects on the River Avon system this year: work stops in November due to fisheries restrictions, but will begin again next summer.