A FLOOD resilience and biodiversity project developed by Scottish Borders environmental charity Tweed Forum at Eddleston Water near Peebles has gained global significance by being chosen as a UNESCO Ecohydrology Demonstration Site – the only one in the UK.
This will help reduce the risk of flooding to communities downstream, providing adaptation to climate change, while simultaneously also improving the biodiversity of the river catchment.
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Measures implemented across the 69km2 Eddleston Water catchment include the creation of 38 new ponds to catch surface water flow and hold water back, and the remeandering of some 3.5km of once-straightened river channels.
Over a hundred engineered log structures have been created on streams in the upper catchment. Built to allow fish to pass underneath, these slow excess water by directing it into land on either side of the river channel.
Over 330,000 native trees have also been planted across the catchment.
As well as having a positive impact on ecology and sequestering carbon, in time these will also aid water infiltration in upstream areas where floods are generated and will help to slow overland water flows.
Results to date have shown reduced peak water levels downstream during heavy rain as well as a delay of up to 7 hours in the timing of river peaks, which gives people more time to prepare and take action.
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There has also been a rise in fish numbers due to increasing the channel length through remeandering, and a recovery in the diversity and numbers of aquatic invertebrates in response to the range of new habitats created within the remeandered channels.
Other species including Kingfishers, Dippers, Lampreys and Otters will also benefit from improvements to these river habitats.
Luke Comins, Director, Tweed Forum said; “Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events such as flooding and our Eddleston Water Project has already attracted international attention as scientists and policy makers try to understand how they can future proof the landscape to be more resilient.
“We’re delighted that this UNESCO recognition will enable us to continue to share the effectiveness of the nature-based solutions we’re implementing on a catchment scale both here and abroad.”
Mairi McAllan, Scottish Government Minister for Environment and Land Reform said;
“I am delighted that the Eddleston Natural Flood Management project, which is supported by the Scottish Government, has been recognised by UNESCO and is now included as a demonstration site in the UNESCO Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme.
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“This work shows the importance of natural flood management in reducing the risk from flooding downstream, as well as creating better habitats for many species.
“The UNESCO designation is a great opportunity for others, both in Scotland and internationally, to learn from the project.
“I would like to thank the team and the local community for the commitment they have shown in taking this forward.”
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