CBEC have worked extensively for a number of years with the River Dee Trust on delivering nature-based river restoration projects on the River Muick, Upper Deeside, Aberdeenshire. These have involved three phases of large wood implementation, with over 100 Large Wood Structures (LWS) introduced, and the reconnection of two artificially disconnected side-channels.
Together, the LWS have been implemented over a 6 km length of the river downstream from Loch Muick and aim to reinstate a proportion of the supply of large wood to the channel that would have occurred naturally when the upper Muick valley was heavily forested. Large wood has an important physical and ecological influence in temperate river systems and its absence results in significantly impaired geomorphic function with a consequently suppressed biodiversity. In conjunction with the LWS implementation, the River Dee Trust have embarked on an extensive programme of tree planting in the bottom of the upper River Muick. Over time, the riparian woodland that establishes will provide a natural and sustainable supply of large wood to the channel, that will ensure the long-term persistence of the important geomorphic and ecological processes associated with it. The side-channel reconnections reintroduced flow into these historical channels, providing important habitat for salmon spawning and rearing. In a high energy system like the Muick, these side/ secondary channels provide critical lower velocity conditions that allow for refuge from high flows and the provision of key habitats for all life stages of fish but also insects and amphibians. All of the measures implemented have resulted in the improvement of spawning and rearing conditions for salmon and trout, evidenced by repeat redd and juvenile electro-fishing surveys conducted by the Trust.
Image 1 shows old trees in the peat which indicates historical riparian forests on the River Muick.
Image 2 shows the large wood structures installed as part of our design.
Image 3 below shows spawning salmon as a result of the restoration.
