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As part of Reviving Calderdale’s Rivers – a £50,000 project managed and delivered by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and jointly funded by the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water – invasive Himalayan Balsam has been removed, willow spiling installed to prevent riverbank erosion, and a river clean-up taken place.
With technical input from The Wild Trout Trust and Calder and Colne Rivers Trust, the project surveyed 42km of river to identify actions to improve Calderdale’s waterways.
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Already work has included:
- Willow spiling: 2.7km of river has been enhanced by using willow spiling at key areas along the river bank to reduce erosion. Living willow walls, which help protect the river bank from erosion and provides vital habitat, have been installed along two farmers’ fields at Strines Beck, Bradshaw, Halifax. This prevents large amounts of sediment from the land washing into the river during rain, protecting water quality and species living in the river.
- Himalayan Balsam removal: 3.9 hectares of the invasive non-native species which chokes river banks has been removed from the River Ryburn at Ripponden. Himalayan Balsam outcompetes native plant species, reducing habitat, and erodes riverbanks which releases soil into the water, reducing water quality.
- River clean-up: With the help of FORUS Tree community group, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust removed several tons of rubbish from Hebble Brook at Halifax, including traffic cones, shopping trollies and a sofa!
- Surveys: 42km of river was surveyed by the partnership, with additional input from Calderdale Council and FORUS Tree, to identify what further actions are needed to improve the river. These surveys also resulted in the native White Clawed Crayfish being rediscovered in Luddenden Brook – a great find for Yorkshire!
- Fencing: Fences were erected to protect riverbanks and allow vegetation to regenerate. The area where native crayfish were found was fenced to protect the crayfish from disturbance and disease.
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