The Brief:
JPR Environmental worked with the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) to enhance the Wellow Brook near Midsomer Norton by removing a redundant weir and restoring natural fish passage along the reach.
The project aimed to improve access to high-quality freshwater habitats for a number of threatened species, including European Eel, Brown Trout and River Lamprey. With the Wellow Brook identified as a Priority Place for nature recovery, the removal of the weir formed an important part of wider efforts to restore river connectivity and support local biodiversity.
The works focused on removing the barrier to fish and eel passage while restoring more natural river processes and improving the overall ecological condition of the brook.
The Solution:
The low-head masonry and concrete weir was carefully removed using tracked excavators fitted with hydraulic breakers and suitable attachments. Temporary flow management measures, including sandbag dams, were installed to maintain downstream flows and allow the works to be undertaken safely.
Sediment control measures were implemented throughout the works to minimise the risk of downstream sedimentation and protect aquatic habitats. Once the structure had been removed, the riverbed was regraded and the channel reshaped to encourage more natural flow patterns and improve channel stability.
The works were delivered by JPR Environmental’s experienced in-house team using low ground pressure plant, with detailed RAMS and environmental permit conditions followed throughout the project. Continuous monitoring and adaptive management helped ensure the works were delivered safely while minimising disturbance to the surrounding riparian and aquatic environment.
The Result:
The removal of the weir has restored connectivity along the Wellow Brook, allowing fish and eel species to move more freely through the reach and access previously restricted freshwater habitats.
The works have also helped reinstate more natural river processes, improving habitat quality and supporting wider nature recovery within the river corridor.
BART will continue to monitor the brook following completion, assessing fish presence alongside macrophyte and macroinvertebrate communities. Improvements in the diversity and abundance of these indicators will help demonstrate the long-term ecological benefits of the project.
The project demonstrates JPR Environmental’s ability to deliver carefully managed river restoration works that remove barriers to aquatic species, improve freshwater habitats and contribute to wider landscape-scale nature recovery.
