Washburn Restoration Underway

Yorkshire Water’s trial works to improve the quality of the river environment downstream of Swinsty reservoir is now well underway.

Salix is working with partners, Mott McDonald Bentley (MMB), Arup and the Environment Agency, along with local landowners, to monitor the results of various river restoration techniques, aimed at improving ecology in the River Washburn.

The company is using its innovative ‘spider’ machine to fell and move trees into the channel to concentrate the low flows of the river flow downstream of the reservoir. The versatile four-legged walking spider machine has been climbing in and out of the river to position tree trunks and large boulders and local gravels at intervals within the channel.

This project is part of a wider program of work across Yorkshire over the next five years. Yorkshire Water will make improvements to 20 reservoirs and improve 100km of Yorkshire’s rivers to demonstrate its commitment to protecting and improving the environment.

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