The Allan Water project is a catchment based approach to nature restoration for the benefit of wildlife, rivers and communities. Within the project there are a number of additional projects where we work with local landowners to improve rivers and land management. Revive the Allan phase 2 follows the initial works on the upper allan to continue restoration efforts to improve wetland and river habitats locally.Â
Revive the Allan Phase 2
Overview
Revive the Allan phase 2 is a follow on project from the original revive the allan project. The project is split into two distinct elements, the natural flood management element and the wading birds element. The Trust has secured £45,980 from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund to continue work in the Allan Water catchment.
Natural Flood Management
The project aims to work with Blackford Estate to identify and install leaky dams on small tributaries of the Allan Water near Blackford. This area has a number of opportunities identified where small wooden dams can be installed in tributaries to slow the flow of water reaching the bigger rivers and main stem of the Allan. These locations have been surveyed and designed to make sure there is no obstructions to fish accessing spawning ground with locations generally away from areas that fish can access.
12 leaky dams will be installed with the locations identified by Perth & Kinross Council’s Blackford Flood Alleviation Scheme. As well as the leaky dams, a number of small embankments have been identified for removal to reconnect burns and tributaries to their floodplains acting as flood storage within the catchment. Reconnecting the burns to the floodplain will also help boost wetted area supporting waders and other wetland species.
Greenloaning waders
As well as the above, we are also working near Greenloaning to boost wetlands locally to support waders and provide natural flood management benefits within the catchment. An area has been identified which was previously drained for forestry which can be turned into wetlands whilst enhancing wetlands locally.
The project aims to block drainage ditches using large tree trunks from the near by felled forestry to force water to spill out into the floodplain. Embankments will be lowered locally to allow the water access to the lower ground. As well as the works to the drainage ditch, a number of scrapes will be created between this break out point and the allan water to create a series of wetlands which will help slow the flow, boost available wetlands for wading birds and also help other wildlife such as dragonflies, butterflies and amphibians.
Objectives
Increase natural flood management measures within the catchment to help contribute to the reduction of water flooding Blackford.
Increase tree planting on tributaries to boost riparian tree cover and help with Natural Flood Management measures
Increase available wetland for wading birds and other wildlife whilst using wetlands to help reduce run off and slow the flow entering the Allan Water.
Funder
Revive the Allan phase 2 is funded by NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund and The Scottish Government
Landowner
With thanks to Blackford Estates.
