Reviving an ecosystem and combating climate change by reconnecting a burn with its floodplain.
Situated on the north side of the Spey, about four miles downstream from Grantown-on-Spey, the Delliefure Burn is a small tributary that had seen significant degradation due to historical agricultural practices including straightening the burn and adding embankements.
In addition, the Spey Fishery Board electrofishing gave us strong evidence that the habitat within this section of the Dellifure Burn was poor for Atlantic salmon and Trout and that changes within and alongside this stretch of burn were needed to improve conditions for these and other species.
During 2021 we improved in-river habitats, flood risk, water storage and created new habitats on the wetland, bringing multiple benefits to this section of river and its floodplain.
Project Delivery: What did we do?
The Delliefure Burn project was completed in 2021. Here are the main features of this project:
1. We lowered embankments
We started by lowering of embankment sections to encourage flood flows to overtop on to the flood plain more frequently
2. We installed large woody structures
Next we installed large woody structures (tree root ball and section of trunk) – jumpstarting natural river processes and kick starting morphological evolution within the burn
3. We created wader scrapes
Finally, we also created scrapes on the land directly beside the burn. These scrapes will fill with water during higher flows as water overflows the lowered embankments, creating a wetland habitat ideal for many insects, invertebrates and wading birds.
What are the Benefits of this Project?
1. New habitats have been created for our wildlife
There is now more wetland and wet grassland habitats in and around our scrapes – which is fantastic for a range of animals and insects.
Natural river processes have restored within the burn, increasing morphological features and enhancing in-channel structural and habitat diversity. This has increased the number of juvenile salmon and trout within the burn.
2. More water is held in the catchment
More water is now held in wetland areas, acting as a reservoir to replenish the burn and counter low flows during drought conditions. This is good for the river, it’s wildlife and communities.
3. Carbon storage is increased, helping to tackle and mitigate Climate Change
This project has re-established water-logging of peaty soils to improve carbon storage. And, by lowering the embankments there has been an increase in particulate and nutrient deposition on the flood plain, enhancing organic carbon storage.
Helping Tackle and Mitigate Climate Chang
Our Fantastic Project Partners
We would like to thank all of our project partners, without whom this project would not have been possible.
The Cairngorms National Park Authority Co-funded this project.
The Macallan Co-funded this project.
Seafield Estate granted us access to their land.
Tulchan Estate?
The Tenant Farmer, for allowing this work to be completed on their land.
We would also like to thank all of our steering group members, many of whom also helped support this project.
Learn more about this project
Deep dive into this project by downloading the full project report below.
Or for further inquiries, collaboration, or additional information about the project, please email Penny Lawson, SCI Project Officer.
Project Updates
June 2023
EXAMPLE!!!!!
Spey Fishery Board electro fishing survey shows that salmon and trout populations have doubled since the project was finished.
By lowering the embankments there has been an increase in particulate and nutrient deposition on the flood plain, enhancing organic carbon storage.