The Peffery Restoration Project has re-meandered a straightened and deepened section of the Peffery River near the small settlement of Fodderty. The project was designed, developed and managed by Richard Lockett and Hannah Humphreys of Lockett Agri-Environmental with the aim of increasing biodiversity on the site and helping to reduce flooding in the downstream town of Dingwall.
The Pebble Trust has a vision for a more sustainable, just and low carbon society. One in which the constraints of fossil fuels lead to a more localised economy with stronger, more resilient communities. The Pebble Trust leads and collaborates on strategic projects where they see gaps in Scotland's sustainable future that are not being filled by others.
Initial feasibility studies were undertaken in 2020. This feasibility study set out how the restoration works could reconnect the main channel of the Peffery to its natural northern floodplain by removing two short sections of the current embankment structure and creating a new river channel. The report recommended that a full, detailed topographical survey was essential to confirm that the river and floodplain levels would allow the restoration to proceed as planned. Funding for this topographic survey was kindly provided by the Pebble Trust, and the survey was carried out over four days in December 2020. The results of the topographic survey provided a wealth of essential data for the NatureScot Biodiversity Challenge Fund (BCF) application for the construction of the new river channel. Without the Pebble Trust providing the stepping stone for the survey required to collect the topographic data, we would not have been able to progress the project.
The BCF application was successful and the river restoration took place in September 2022. The river was successfully meandered, increasing its length by a third from 450m to 600m, and a total of 6.5ha of new floodplain habitat was created. The new floodplain habitat comprises a mosaic of wetlands, swales, backwaters, marshy grassland, enhanced grassland that will return to a species-rich composition over time, and a combination of planted / regenerating trees and scrub. The new river channel has also improved habitat connectivity and the river now joins the original small area of wetland and pond on the site. Floodplain wetlands, backwaters and ponds have further increased the habitat heterogeneity of the site and gravel from the old channel was used to line the new channel to ensure optimum transfer of species including freshwater invertebrates, microbes and algae. Trees removed for the construction of the new channel were recycled for use within the restoration site as large woody debris structures or bank protection. These features promote sediment trapping, fish habitat and structural diversity whilst reducing diffuse pollution. This provides a range of ecological and geomorphological benefits that lend themselves to a stable and sustainable riparian ecosystem. Riparian tree cover reduces water temperature (rising river temperatures threaten to have a significant impact on fish populations, particularly in the Highlands), provides food via leaf litter for freshwater insects on which fish depend for food, and any trees that fall into the river help to build up gravel for spawning and provide shelter.
The fish rescue involved a team of local volunteers in co-ordination with the Cromarty and Ness Fisheries Board. Working with local stakeholders and landowners. Film screenings and talks for the local community. Significant education and outreach activities during and after the project. Running events through the Integrating Tree Network to share learning.