This is an archived website, available until June 2027. We hope it will inspire people to continue to care for and protect the South West Peak area and other landscapes. Although the South West Peak Landscape Partnership ended in June 2022, the area is within the Peak District National Park. Enquiries can be made to customer.service@peakdistrict.gov.uk
The 5-year South West Peak Landscape Partnership, 2017-2022, was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Slowing the Flow Case Studies
These 9 case studies show detailed examples of work carried out in the Slowing the Flow Project to restore natural water flow processes within the South West Peak area for the benefit of the environment, people and wildlife.
Shell Brook, Kisswood Farm
New native woodland created (4ha), converting tightly grazed slopes into ungrazed young woodland to reduce overland flow after heavy rain. Fencing and excluding grazing enhanced surface roughness and benefited evapotranspiration. 19 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams installed along 550m of Shell Brook to restore natural stream processes and reduce the flow rate.
Shell Brook, Kisswood Farm case study
Wildmoorbank Hollow, Lamaload
This work reduced peak flood flows further down the catchment and installed 16 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams along 720m of watercourse to restore the natural stream process.
Wildmoorbank Hollow, Lamaload case study
Whitelee Farm, Wincle
The landholding was enhanced for wildlife and natural flood management resilience; in-channel work restored natural stream processes within minor tributaries which flow into the main river; 12 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams, 8 leaky dams and 2 offline storage ponds were created; and 550m of contour hedgerows restored.
Whitelee Farm, Wincle case study
Swainsmoor Farm, Leek Moors
Natural stream processes were restored and aquatic habitat enhanced for native wildlife by installing 42 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams in 2.2km of the streams at the source of the river Churnet.
Swainsmoor Farm, Leek Moors case study
Manifold Leys, Swainsley
This project installed 12 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams along a 400m reach of the River Manifold to restore natural stream processes in a fast flowing and heavily modified river with artificially riveted banks and no naturally occurring woody material.
Manifold Leys, Swainsley case study
High Ash Farm, Leek Moors
A flagship site. The land is being farmed sympathetically for wildlife conservation with low-density cattle grazing and hay meadows. The river has been remaindered to its former channel and fenced out in 1.3hectares, Large Woody Debris has been installed in the river and over 500 native white-clawed crayfish returned to the site. New pond installed and the old herring-bone drainage disrupted with the installation of scrapes for wading birds.
High Ash Farm, Leek Moors case study
Gib Torr, Leek Moors
This project created large scale leaky dams or ‘run-off attenuation features’ close to the source, in a moorland setting; installed 4 large scale run-off attenuation features within the gulley; and installed an upstream and downstream flume to measure the effectiveness of the features.
Gib Torr, Leek Moors case study
Firth Bottom Fen, Tittesworth
This project reconnected the watercourse with the floodplain wetland habitat on the surrounding low-lying land and installed 14 woody debris dams along a 400m stretch.
Firth Bottom Fen, Tittesworth case study
Black Brook, Back Forest, Gradbach
This project installed 19 Large Woody Debris (LWD) log jams along a 1km reach of the watercourse to slow down the rate at which peak flows travel through the system.
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