Erosion/Siltation

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It is a stated objective of Tyne Rivers Trust to 'Improve Habitat to support greater and more robust biodiversity'.

The Trust has undertaken an ambitious programme of habitat improvement works to help tackle diffuse pollution from agriculture throughout the Tyne catchment.

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We are supported in this project by several funders including the SITA Trust, Tubney Charitable Trust, Environment Agency and Natural England.

The projects aim is to reduce erosion and the resulting siltation in the Tyne river system. Special consideration is given to the North Tyne and Rede catchments which contain nationally significant populations of Freshwater Pearl Mussels. This endangered species is particularly susceptible to siltation of its river bed habitat.

The project tackles sites where anthropogenic influences (principally aggravated erosion) are deemed to be having a negative impact on the ecological status of the river system. Our ethos is to assist natural recovery using a range of soft engineering techniques depending upon the character of the river in a specific reach.

Project sites have been selected using the knowledge of our staff, partners and land users. We also use computer modelling software such as SCI-MAP and our aerial imagery (THIS-GIS). At each site a geomorphological and habitat assessment of the watercourse and its surrounds is carried out by TRT and partners.

A second TRT objective is to 'Get Better Information and Promote Better Understanding of catchment issues and responsibilities'. We carry out ecological monitoring of project sites prior to activities and for a minimum of 5 years following the end of the work phase. We hope that our observations can further inform effective management in the future.

We are pleased to announce a new approach to management of silt in the River Rede. Funded by the SITA Trust, we're aiming to help provide a better future for the Tyne Pearl Mussel population. Read about our SITA desilting project.

TRT, the Environment Agency and Tees Rivers Trust are working together in a 'Silt Reduction Partnership'. We are carrying out practical work and sharing our combined experience. As part of this second aim you can read about the 'Understanding and Managing Silt in Rivers', technical workshop, held in Ingleby Greenhow in november 2011. The associated notes and presentations can be viewed from the links below.

As part of our work to halt the decline of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel, we held recent workshops in association with the FBA, EA and NWL. Follow the link below to see the presentations from these events.