Leaky Dams

Leaky woody dams use natural materials to create a barrier to water. Willow and other types of wood block up channels to trap sediment and slow the flow of water downstream.

By holding the water up, it gives trees and other vegetation time to take up the water and nutrients which will reduce flooding downstream and improve water quality.

Mersey Rivers Trust staff and volunteers are installing leaky dams across the Mersey Basin including channels flowing into Rivacre Brook and Black Brook.

SuDS

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are techniques used to reduce flooding and improve water quality in urban areas. There are various ways this can be achieved including reducing the amount of water entering the urban environment, capturing and storing the water, creating more green space to allow infiltration or slowing the flow.

A successful SuDS scheme will mirror that of a natural environment, helping to reduce flooding, improve water quality, create habitats and increase biodiversity whilst having no long term adverse effects.

Tree planting

Trees provide many benefits to rivers and the wildlife within. They help to reduce flooding by taking up water from the soil, allowing more infiltration and less overland flow.

They improve water quality by removing pollutants. They Stabilise river banks to reduce sediment input. When they fall into the river, fallen leaves create habitats and natural leaky dams. Fallen leaves provide nutrients for birds and fish.