Our Latest News Update

Photo: Diggers breaking up the ford over Skeeby Beck, uncovering the gravel beds and opening up the connectivity of the river.

In this issue:

Opening up Skeeby Beck

Big River Watch

Opening up Hundwith Beck

Last Chance to See our Exhibition!

Soil Aeration Events

Sampling and Testing the River Ure

Opening up Skeeby Beck

Healthy rivers need connectivity so that fish and other river species can migrate for breeding, spawning, food and refuge.

As a delivery partner of the Great Yorkshire Rivers project − a collaboration between Yorkshire Water , the Environment Agency , the Rivers Trust  and other regional rivers trusts in Yorkshire, we have been reviewing and removing barriers to help restore natural river processes, improve water quality and enhance biodiversity.

Our biggest intervention so far has been the removal of a significant ford over Skeeby Beck, a tributary of the River Swale.

The images below show ‘before and after’, and how badly the ford was impeding the free movement and migration of fish within the watercourse.

A challenge in this project was maintaining access for the farmer to their land – this has been achieved through the creation of a new, clear-span bridge in the same location.

You can also read about another successful Great Yorkshire Rivers project below − the opening up of Hundwith Beck on the Denton Estate.

Photo: Skeeby Beck with its ford and then after its removal with a new bridge over.

Big River Watch

Twice a year, The Rivers Trust runs the Big River Watch, with the next one taking place 18 - 24 September. Anyone can take part in these week-long citizen science surveys that help to build an important picture of river health across the UK and Ireland.

Taking part has never been more important since our rivers are far from healthy with less than 15% of river stretches in England in good overall health - and none in good chemical health.

If you own a smart phone you can take part in this survey - just upload the app which will ask you about the wildlife, plants and any signs of pollution on a stretch of watercourse of your own choosing.

Since it was launched in 2023, more than 27,000 people have taken part in the Big River Watch, submitting almost 15,000 surveys, helping the Trust identify key issues and priorities for remediation and advocacy work.

Find out more and download the app via the button below:

Opening Up Hundwith Beck

In June, thanks to Great Yorkshire Rivers funding, working with the Wild Trout Trust , we addressed six barriers to fish passage on Hundwith Beck in collaboration with the Denton Reserve .

This work will help fish move more freely between the River Wharfe and the valuable spawning habitat within Hundwith Beck. Reconnecting this stretch of the beck will also extend habitats for resident fish whilst improving the beck's natural geomorphology and ecology.

A three-year monitoring programme will also track how the channel responds to the restoration work and the benefits it brings for fish and other wildlife.

We will continue to keep you updated with this project through this newsletter.

Photo: One of the former fords on Hundwith Beck on the Denton Estate.

Last chance to see…

There’s less than a month left to see our wonderful Rivers4Life exhibition at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, which ends 27 September.

This exhibition is a superb opportunity for people to connect with the nature and wildlife of our rivers, along with the challenges they currently face.

Rivers4Life , funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, is a celebration of our beautiful rivers, brought to life through films, music, art, soundscapes, drama and compelling facts.

Photo: YDRT Chair of Trustees Jamie Roberts, Dales Countryside Museum Manager Fiona Rosher, Museum Officer Jane Sammells, YDRT’s Patrick Lane.

Soil Aeration Events

It’s been a busy few weeks for our Farming and Conservation Officer, Heather Challis, who helped to organise two soil aeration events in the Wharfe and Nidd catchments. These formed part of a wider programme of events across the Aire, Calder, East Yorkshire and Don catchments, all focusing on the importance of healthy soils.

With guest speaker Charlie Morgan, a leading UK Soil & Grassland Adviser, alongside demonstrations from Aerworx and the Panbuster from Agri Supplies, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the benefits of soil aeration, including:

• Improved drainage and soil structure

• Better nutrient availability, promoting healthy root growth

• Increased soil biology

• Improved oxygen levels within the soil

Together, these benefits can help extend the length of time livestock can remain outdoors, whilst also supporting healthier soils and contributing to improved river health.

To find out more - look out for our forthcoming blog on the subject.

And, if you missed the event but are interested in a free farm sustainability review contact Heather via the button below:

Photo: Aeration event in the Nidd catchment

Sampling and Testing the River Ure

Eight teams of volunteers converged on the River Ure and its catchment simultaneously in August, with the aim of getting a snapshot of its health in order to determine any deterioration (or improvement) in water quality since our last round of testing in 2024.

With samples taken to test for nitrates, phosphates, faecal bacterial levels and suspended solids, along with measurements on the day at each sample point for water temperature, pH conductivity and ammonia, we aim to show the relative health of the river along with an identification of areas of diffuse and/or point source pollution.

Sampling at multiple sites along the Ure and its tributaries in this way at the same time on the same day with the same weather and river conditions enables us to understand the chemical and biological profile of the river. It also helps us gauge the relative importance of different pollution sources and provides reliable, accurate data which we can share with Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency.

Thank you to all our volunteers and Stop Ure Pollution who supported us!

Photo: An ammonia reader with the River Ure behind.