Wetland Maintenance

Water is fed onto the wetland from one of the moorland springs on the training area.  The design of the wetland sends the water around the ponds via a series of pipes and sluices.  The water then drains out into a beck running through the reserve, re-joining water from the original spring. 

Regular maintenance of the pipes, sluices and bunds is needed; occasionally leaks can develop where old root systems might have rotted away or in areas where cattle have disturbed the ground as they graze.  This alters the levels of the ponds and can send the water away down Risedale Beck rather than into the reserve.  Two leaks were found and repaired this morning, ensuring the pools are kept at the optimum levels for wildlife and that the water flows around the wetland keeping the ponds healthy and finally re-joining water from the spring.