Projects

#4 Bluespaces Trout

Essex & Suffolk Water and the Roding Farm Cluster have an opportunity to work in partnership with the Environment Agency and local organisations to improve 7.2 km of Bluespaces along the River Roding. The River Roding is London's third longest river, but largely flows through an agricultural area of East Essex before reaching the city. Trout spawning Grounds have been discovered at the northern extent of the Roding whilst adult fish have been located at the southern end of the project.

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#3 Deflector Installation

Wild Trout Trust and Environment Agency

The aim of this project is to create a more dynamic flow to prevent the channel silted and uncover more of the base of the dynamic shingle stream, thus increasing potential spawning grounds for the Trout.

We have the Wild trout trust and the EA putting in 3 natural deflectors to capture silt. By testing the deflectors in 3 locations we will be able to establish if there is enough flow to enable them to work in the deep, slow-flowing channel with potential to replicate further along the Roding if their effectiveness is established.

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#2 Water Screening and Water Testing Study

Working with the Environment Agency, a group of Roding farmers have met with a consultant to assess water security and the risk of water shortages on their farms.

They are exploring ways to harness water during high-water events and considering the creation of new reservoirs to reduce flood risk while enhancing water security—and, by extension, food security.

#1 Water Vole Recovery

Water voles are the UK’s fastest declining mammal, due to habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink. In 2007, Essex Wildlife Trust launched the Essex Water Vole Recovery Project to ensure the water vole would not be lost in Essex. The Roding and West Essex cluster are working with Essex wildlife trust, with 8 mink traps in place currently and more planned in the river and tributaries of the Roding. Farmers and the Trust are collaborating to create a safe environment, where water voles may be re-introduced and one day thrive.

Thanks to funding from the Environment Agency Water Environment Improvement Fund, The Roding and West Essex Farm Cluster are working with Essex Wildlife Trust and Thames21, with 20 mink traps in place in the river and tributaries of the Roding