Welcome to our winter newsletter! 

Project work update

River Peffery

cbec’s design was used to restore a ~700 m long reach of the River Peffery near Dingwall, Easter Ross to a more natural condition comprising a sinuous channel and associated wetlands and backwaters.  This initial design was built in summer 2022 and will now evolve over time through the re-establishment of natural physical processes and vegetation succession, returning the channel close to what it would have been like before it was modified. 

Bronie Burn Weir Removal

We conducted a series of detailed assessments for SEPA on a weir structure on the Bronie Burn near Ellon, Aberdeenshire to improve fish passage. Here is an amazing timelapse of the weir being removed.  An incredible result which has seen an increase in biodiversity already.  Thanks to all involved including McGowan Environmental Engineering who carried out the work and SEPA WEF who funded the project. 

Glenshero, Upper Spey

We designed the implementation plan for the large wood structures in Glenshero in the Upper Spey catchment. They were installed in September and have already started increasing channel diversity, with scour pools developing around the root plates and deposition of gravel downstream.  The results should be fantastic!

News 

Nature-Based Solutions Webinar, Reykjavík, Iceland

cbec helped to organise a workshop on the practical application of the ‘nature-based approach’ in Iceland on 5th and 6th September 2022. This was a high-profile event with invitees from Iceland’s environmental regulator, government ministers, power companies, municipal authorities, engineering companies, land management/ soil conservation organisations and other NGSs . During the workshop the philosophy and key tenets of the nature-based approach were discussed  and a range of practical examples of application (e.g. sustainable river and floodplain restoration/ management/ engineering; soil/ slope stabilisation; integrated constructed wetlands; environmentally sensitive paths/ tracks; peatland restoration) were showcased. This was followed by visits to three field sites where the benefits of the nature-based approach were demonstrated.

The above images are before and after work commenced at Andakílsá. 

In this two-day workshop about nature-based solutions participants heard lectures from various experts residing in Iceland, along with an insight into the issues in the UK from us,  Salix and McGowan Ltd.  Thank you to all involved Verkís , Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands and Umhverfisstofnun.  Hopefully we will see more of these workshop events soon! 

Nordic Water Framework Directive Conference, Iceland

Our very own Dr. Hamish Moir gave a presentation at the 10th Nordic WFD conference titled 'The practical application of the ‘nature-based’ approach in river management: multi-scale case study on the Andakílsá River, Iceland’  For more information about this fantastic event please go here:

https://nordicwfd2022.vatn.is/

RSK innovator award 2022

 A huge congratulations for our very own Dr.Eric Gillies for being nominated for the RSK innovator award 2022! RSK’s annual Innovation Awards provides an opportunity to showcase the excellent activities across the group that have led to a change in business practice and have delivered positive benefits in multiple areas. Eric was nominated for the Individual Recognition award. 

Nature of Scotland Awards 2022

There were some truly inspirational projects nominated for this fantastic awards ceremony.  The Garrell Burn and Eddleston Water were a couple of projects that received highly commended status and we were involved with both!  Fantastic night - our very own Dr. Matthew O'Hare looked very smart in a kilt!