In late 2019, we conducted a walkover of Townfoot Farm (near Cumrew) and found a 230m stretch of highly straightened and canalised river between areas of naturally meandering sections of river with woodland cover and in-stream woody debris.
Further research of OS maps and LiDAR data showed the old parish boundary in the area as a curving / wiggly line - a good indication of where the river used to be.

This project aimed to create a new, more natural meandering channel that would reconnect the river with its floodplain (helping to reduce downstream flood risk) and give the river space to move over time. The new meandering channel is a lot longer than the previously straightened one - coming in at 395m.
Since then, the site has naturally regenerated, with more species of plants growing in this area plus new sightings of otters and polecats.

Funding: Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund with support from North Pennines AONB Partnership, Environment Agency, Eden Rivers Trust

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