Water for Wildlife A Derbyshire Wildlife Project at Bentley Brook

Feb. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- The management of the water course at Bentley and Henmore Brooks is the primary focus of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust project, Water for Wildlife – and the protection of threatened species.

Bentley Brook is the last remaining strong hold for water voles in the upper Dove catchments; the banks are also home to a colony of sand martins, therefore, it is essential to maintain the sympathetic management of the water course in order to provide a good long-term environment for these threatened species.

Stancliffe Stone supported Derbyshire Wildlife Trust with their ‘one off’ demonstration project to highlight best practice when dealing with riverbank erosion issues. Natural erosion is a necessary natural process which should be allowed. However, it is not always possible to allow nature to take its course.

The Trust always promotes soft engineering options ahead of hard revetment works. Stancliffe donated 20 tonne of random natural sandstone ‘rip-rap’, which formed part of the riverbank erosion control, designed to help protect the toe of the bank and promote the settlement of silt.

Bank erosion will result in loss of land. It is the single most common problem to rivers which flow on alluvial plain. As a sympathetic material, incorporating natural stone rip-rap into projects like this maintains the natural ecological balance required to protect the environment and influence habitat for wildlife.

Natural sandstone ‘rip-rap’ or namely ‘stone boulders’, is a relatively permanent option if the stones used are sufficiently large that they will not wash away during high flows – the more angular the stones the better they interlock and thus the more stable the riverbank becomes. The pits in the stones and nooks and crannies between them increase the amount of area for colonisation by aquatic insects. Plants can take root between the rocks and rock ledges can be used as a resting place for waterfowl and small mammals.

Stancliffe is a corporate supporter to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust - for further information on Bentley Brook and the Water for Wildlife Project go to www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

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