Eden River Restoration Strategy 

For years rivers have been altered by man for a variety of reasons such as flood defence, land drainage and providing water supplies.  Now a new project is underway to return three rivers in Cumbria to a more natural state – a move that will bring huge benefits for people and wildlife. 

All over the county rivers have been straightened, their banks have been reinforced and flood plains have been drained.  These are just some of the ways rivers have been modified, for reasons such as preventing erosion, protecting buildings and improving farmland. 

While these changes have brought significant benefits for man, they have led to rivers becoming much poorer for wildlife.  Now the rivers Eden, Derwent and Kent are all part of a project to find out if rivers can be allowed to follow a more natural course without causing problems for people.   

Up until now the aim has often been to move rainwater off the land and away down the river as fast as possible.  However, a more natural river with meanders, flood plains and wetlands has a natural slowing and filtering effect on water, and these kinds of river features are also extremely important for wildlife. 

It is believed that the right actions in the right places could be of benefit for people as well as wildlife, for example in improving drinking water quality and reducing the risk of flooding.  Allowing rivers to behave naturally will also reduce the cost of river maintenance. 

Restoring the meandering course of rivers, where it is safe and acceptable to all concerned to do so, will result in variety in the river channel and the surrounding land.  This is vital for wildlife such as birds, fish and insects which require a range of conditions in and around the river to hide, feed and breed. 

The project involves Eden Rivers Trust, West Cumbria Rivers Trust, South Cumbria Rivers Trust and the Wild Trout Trust in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.  The rivers concerned are all of national and international importance for their wildlife.

Restoration plans were drawn up in 2010 for the rivers concerned and potential actions were identified.  They contain long term proposals for the whole of these important rivers and set out a vision of what they might look like if they were allowed to revert to a more natural state.   

The ideas put forward so far are for consideration and investigation, and nothing will be imposed on landowners.  The project partners cannot carryout out any changes alone and are looking to work with farmers and landowners to make it work. 

Given that there has been little restoration work on upland rivers in the UK, and the recent major flooding in Cumbria, those involved feel the best way forward is to trial small changes in and around the rivers at a handful of locations where everyone concerned is happy with the idea.  These demonstration sites will show alternative ways of managing our rivers and land to improve them for people, businesses and the environment.  They will test the proposals on the ground and whether they can help the landscape to adapt to climate change. 

Allowing the river to adjust its course of its own accord is the preferred option wherever possible.  Detailed plans suggesting what could be done with certain stretches will be developed in agreement with landowners and other users of the river.  Examples could range from very simple measures such as riverside fencing and tree planting, to removing river embankments to create wetlands where it is acceptable to all concerned.  Long timescales are envisaged, typically 20 years or more, and before any work begins thorough checks, including potential flood risk issues, will be carried out.  

Project officers are based at the Eden, West Cumbria and South Cumbria Rivers Trusts and will set up the pilot restoration projects.  Gareth Pedley has been appointed to the role at Eden Rivers Trust and can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

A variety of funding sources will be used, including Defra-funded farming and woodland schemes, and project grants from the Environment Agency and Natural England.  

Eden Rivers Trust is looking for organisations or individuals directly involved in the river to meet and monitor the project on a regular basis.  Please contact Gareth Pedley if you would like to be considered as a member of this group which will meet no more than four times a year.  This is a great opportunity to participate in a major project that will benefit the River Eden.