River Derwent (Borrowdale, Cumbria) - River restoration feasibility study

Tender description

Defra procuring on behalf of Natural England (NE): The work is to comprise a feasibility study into restoration options and potential on the River Derwent and Stonethwaite Beck in Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria. The opportunity to complete this study has arisen through land management changes identified by the National Trust. The National Trust is keen to ensure the adoption of sustainable land management practices and to better enable natural processes to operate on its land. By taking the opportunity to explore possible options of river restoration it hopes to demonstrate the feasibility of that within a farmed landscape and prove the benefits of such an approach. Preliminary assessment has identified that these two watercourses are straightened and significantly perched above the floodplain, which is predominantly pastoral land defended by flood levees. As such, Natural England and the National Trust are keen to understand what opportunities may exist to restore fluvial processes, by returning the rivers to their natural course and re-engaging the river with its floodplain. This aims to return the river to more sustainable, natural functioning state which should support a healthy, diverse ecosystem.