Launch of Ouse Valley Wetland Project

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency is launching its Ouse Valley Wetlands Project at Holywell near St Ives on Wednesday 4 February to coincide with World Wetlands Day being held the same day.

The Ouse Valley Wetlands Project aims to restore historic flood plain backwaters and to consider connecting some gravel pits with the main river. Once connected to the river, backwaters and gravel pits provide a good habitat in their own right as well as enhancing the overall quality of the main river.

Reconnected backwaters and gravel pits provide a refuge for young fish during floods, which would otherwise sweep them away. They also provide areas for fish to spawn and provide a better habitat for wildlife including otters, water voles and a range of water birds.

Over the years, much of the Great Ouse has lost many of its natural features due to land drainage and construction work. In the long term, the project aims to reinstate natural features such as oxbows, flood meadows and meanders as well as enhancing manmade habitats such as gravel pits.

Dr Ian Cowx is a world-renowned expert on fisheries and wetlands and has undertaken a study on behalf of the Environment Agency on how best to restore the Ouse Valley area.

Dr Ian Hirst, a Technical Specialist with the Environment Agency said, "Wetlands provide a unique environment which has been fast disappearing in this country. World Wetlands Day highlights the importance of wetlands around the globe and we’re really pleased to be contributing to it by launching the Ouse Valley Wetlands Project today. "

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