1.1 River Lark Channel Restoration

Aims/Objectives

This project aims to improve the morphology and habitat quality of many stretches of the River Lark by restoration works to naturalise the river banks and channel.

The objectives are to:

• Improve 5km of degraded river with at least 1.2km of restoration works.
• Engage, train, and support volunteers delivering 1200 workdays
  – installing gravel riffles, stabilising and softening banks, constructing woven gabions and planting trees and river marginals (500m).
• Deliver annual workshops (4) to support and train volunteer groups in river restoration activities and wider river management. Survey and maintain bankside footpaths.

Legacy

The project outputs will be delivered by a large cohort of volunteers and the legacy of the project will be to have trained and experienced volunteers participating in river management on river restoration projects in the Brecks in years to come.

Summary

The River Lark chalk stream is a unique and important habitat of which there are very few worldwide. Over time, the Lark has become degraded and cannot support the rich and varied wildlife it once did – bad news for everyone who uses the river, whether for recreation or business.

The River Lark Catchment Partnership, the Environment Agency, the Lark Angling Preservation Society, the Wild Trout Trust and Bury Trout Club, have all been actively undertaking sporadic river restoration with limited funds. These groups have demonstrated the amazing results that can be achieved through volunteer efforts.

Recent restoration projects undertaken have transformed sluggish sections of river into more sinuous and energised flows dramatically improving habitat and visual quality. These efforts have culminated in two prestigious Wild Trout Trust national awards.

This project will undertake significant river restoration on the river Lark, between Fornham upstream and beyond Mildenhall, and will galvanise community and volunteer participation leading to more sustainable community-based river management.

Workshops and training opportunties will teach, organisations and volunteers the skills required to look after the rivers over a 5 year period, sustainably building a group that can continue to care for the rivers, long after initial delivery phase.