Progress is well underway on the Trust’s Pool of Muckhart Natural Flood Management project. We have been overseeing the works on site in Pool of Muckhart, with the digger excavating the wetland scrapes and flood overflow channels during May. Leaky dams have also been added along sections of the existing channel to help slow the flow. These scrapes, flood channels and leaky dams are all part of the natural flood management measures that reduce the impact of flooding downstream and protect the community while also offering benefits for biodiversity at the site.
Flood overflow channels improve water storage capacity and act as a natural flood management measure by diverting the pathway of floodwaters so that water flows over the re-connected floodplain. By incorporating scrapes into natural flood management, water storage capacity is increased, processes like sediment capture and nutrient filtration establish, and a wetland habitat is established, increasing biodiversity by habitat creation for several plant and animal species, such as wading birds, amphibians and insects like damsel fly and dragonfly.
Above: Flood overflow channels being dug out.
Leaky dams create a permeable barrier that obstructs water flow, ‘slowing the flow’ of floodwater down a channel, controlling its release more gradually and protecting communities downstream from flood events. Leaky dams are mimicking natural processes as when trees line the banks, they will drop limbs or fall into rivers creating leaky barriers naturally. As there are limited trees along this burn, we have mimicked nature and used natural materials to install these leaky barriers.  They serve as an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to reducing flood risk and benefit biodiversity through habitat creation within the watercourse.
Above:Â A leaky dam.
Using expertise gained from previous work, the Trust is collaborating with the local authority (Clackmannanshire Council) and local groups such as Muckhart Church and Pool of Muckhart Flood Group. It is placing community engagement at the forefront delivering change that locals want to see. They have been at the heart of this proposal, supporting the Trust in delivering this project and identifying what they want to see on their local burn. Community members and local schoolchildren participated in a wildflower sowing event where they spread wildflower seeds along the scrapes and overflow channels, an opportunity to be part of the site works and to also learn more about the benefits of natural flood management that is being driven by the local people working together. These wildflowers will also benefit the natural environment and once established, present a recreational and educational opportunity for locals to revisit the site.
Above: Creation of a leaky dam.
Forth Rivers Trust is delighted to be working to support and facilitate the project delivery alongside project partners. The project is funded through NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund with match funding via MERLIN, an EU-funded project. Stay tuned for future updates about the many benefits that natural flood management is bringing to this community, and to the natural environment around it.
We will also be holding some willow weaved leaky dam creation volunteer events in November. If you would like to get involved in these, email Charlotte – c.neary@forthriverstrust.org.
