1.4 Barton Mills Sluice

The Objectives are;

• Collect data and Carry out a test lowering to ensure the river level is not linked to the fen level
• Analysis the data and present the results to Natural England and stakeholders
• Plan and implement a phased lowering in the deliver phase of the BFER, mostly done during the first three years of the development period
• Plan exact locations and implement restoration measures, liaise with land owners for exact access points
• Monitor the changes

The River Lark chalk stream is a unique and important habitat of which there are very few worldwide.

The chalk stream globally is a very rare type of river with a unique ecology. There is estimated to be 210 chalk streams in the world, of which 160 are in England.

The Lark was impounded in 1714 for Navigation and Milling, Navigation on the Lark has since ceased between Judes ferry to Bury St Edmunds, but the remnants of the structures were left in, being adapted and modified to provide a water level for amenity.

The remaining structures have impounded the river along all its reaches preventing connectivity between reaches, to allow passage between structures they need removing or modifying, this is vital link in restoring the watercourses upstream and getting Sea Trout back to their natural breeding grounds.

If you’d like to get involved in this project contact us for more information or to be added to the project mailing list: bfer.admin@suffolk.gov.uk