20/04/2005 - A project
to improve conditions in the River Waveney
for fish and other wildlife has just been
completed downstream of Homersfield, Suffolk.
More than 500 tonnes of gravel have been placed
in the river to create faster flows and a
spawning area for fish species such as dace.
The Environment Agency carried out the scheme
as part of a European-funded project to improve
the rivers Waveney and Little Ouse for wildlife.
The Agency provided £10,000 and £5,000
came from the European Union.
Adding the gravel has turned a sluggish,
muddy stretch of river into faster flowing
water which encourages a wider variety of
wildlife and plants. The open structure of
the stony bed also encourages fish to spawn.
The Waveney is a haven for wildlife. There
is a healthy coarse fish population and the
river is renowned for it’s pike fishing. Otters
are present at many sites along the river,
including in the Homersfield area, and they
should benefit from the increase in fish spawning.
Native crayfish, a threatened species, may
also be present at the site and will benefit
from the new conditions.
A recent survey, partly funded by the Environment
Agency, has also shown that water voles are
clinging on in some sites, despite predation
by mink.
Julia Stansfield, Technical Specialist with
the Environment Agency said: "As well
as improving the lot of wildlife, this scheme
will provide better fishing and make the river
more attractive. I'm really looking forward
to seeing and hearing the water rippling over
the gravel in summer, scattering the sunlight'.
The European project, called Transnational
Ecological Network, includes joint schemes
in Holland and Germany, and is bringing £560,000
into the area to spend on wildlife projects.
Other projects in the scheme include reed
bed creation next to Frenze Beck in Diss,
a community-based project to improve wetland
habitats (Little Ouse Headwaters Project)
close to Redgrave and conversion of arable
fields back to wetland at Lakenheath Fen.
