View source for River Skerne EU-LIFE project

=River Skerne EU-LIFE project=

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==Key features of the case study==

The Skerne demonstration site is located in the town of Darlington, County Durham and demonstrates what can be achieved in an urban environment. The Skerne has been straightened and enlarged to reduce flooding and to drain the surrounding urban area. Much of the floodplain has been raised by old industrial waste tipping, with gas and sewer pipes running alongside the river. As a result of these constraints, restoration opportunities were severely limited - typical of urban rivers elsewhere.

A 2km length of the river has been restored. Four new meanders have been formed in a remaining section of floodplain used as open parkland. The excess soil was used to landscape nearby steep slopes. Riverbanks have been strengthened with willow and reeds to prevent erosion. Thirteen ugly surface water outfalls have been replaced with underground inspection /collection chambers that firstly intercept pollution and then discharge the water into the river below water level. 

Elsewhere, where the river could not be re-meandered, it has been enhanced by reshaping and narrowing the bed to vary the flow and to allow riverside plants to flourish. New footpaths and planting schemes complete the theme of "bringing the countryside into town", which locally has been greatly appreciated.

==Site description==
 
==Measures selection==

==Success criteria==

==Ecological response==

==Hydromorphological response==

==Monitoring before and after implementation of the project==

==Socio-economic aspects==

==Contact person within the organization==

==Extra background information==
[[Media:Skerne_photos.pdf‎|Before and after aerial photos of the Skerne project]]

==References==
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[[Category:Case_studies]]

== Related Measures ==

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== Related Pressures ==

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[[Category:River continuity]] [[Category:River depth and width variation]] [[Category:Structure of the riparian zone]] [[Category:Structure of the floodplain]] [[Category:Macrophytes and phytobenthos]] [[Category:Benthic invertebrates]] [[Category:Fish]]
[http://riverwiki.restorerivers.eu/wiki/index.php?title=Case_study%3ARiver_Skerne-_Life_project Skerne project on the River Wiki]