The Brief:
JPR Environmental delivered the first phase of natural flood management works at Carswell Marsh, Oxfordshire, with the aim of slowing peak flows, improving water retention and enhancing the site’s natural flood resilience.
The project focused on low-impact, nature-based solutions, including the installation of leaky log dams within existing ditch networks and the desilting of an existing pond to restore its capacity.
The Solution:
Leaky Dams
A series of leaky log dams were constructed using natural timber and carefully positioned within the existing ditch networks. The structures were designed to slow water during high-flow events while allowing normal flows to continue.
The dams were constructed with stable channel-spanning structures, controlled heights and perpendicular alignment to help reduce erosion. Their positioning was carefully considered to avoid impacts on adjacent land and infrastructure.
Desilting
An existing pond was desilted using an excavator and dump truck to restore its storage capacity and improve its ecological function. Ground protection systems were used throughout the works to minimise disturbance, with excavated material safely stockpiled nearby.
The Result:
The works have improved the site’s ability to naturally attenuate water, helping to reduce peak flows and increase water retention within the landscape.
The combination of leaky log dams and pond desilting has enhanced the function of the existing water features while maintaining a low-impact approach to construction. Careful planning, ground protection and the use of natural materials ensured the works were delivered efficiently with minimal environmental disturbance.
The project demonstrates JPR Environmental’s ability to deliver practical, nature-based flood management solutions that provide both increased resilience and wider environmental benefits.
