University expertise helps Tweed win award

Published On Fri 22 May 2015 by Grant Hill

Experts from the University of Dundee have helped the Tweed to become the first-ever winner of the UK River Prize.

The Tweed, a UNESCO HELP Basin, is the site of the University’s main research focus on catchment management and river restoration. The UK River Prize celebrates the achievements of individuals and organisations working to improve the natural functioning of our rivers and catchments, and recognises the benefits to society of having a healthy natural environment.

The application was made by Tweed Forum, an organisation that works with various partners to promote integrated catchment management that delivers multiple benefits. The Tweed has been the focus of a number of long-running research projects, led from the University’s Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science (under the auspices of UNESCO).

These have included studies of river restoration and of wetland ecosystem services, as well as a new pilot for the national Land Use Strategy and work on land management and natural flood risk management. Covering both bio-physical and socio-economic areas, the University has worked closely with Tweed Forum and its partners, including workshops and programmes to support participative catchment management.

Professor Chris Spray, Chair of Water Science and Policy and a trustee and past chairman of Tweed Forum, said, “I am delighted that the work of Tweed Forum and all its members has been recognised by the award of this prestigious prize.

“As an UNESCO HELP Basin, the Tweed is already recognised for its innovative leadership in catchment management. The University is happy to share in this and to continue to work with Tweed Forum and partners to promote integrated water resource management.”

In the last five years Tweed Forum has restored and enhanced more than 60km of river through fencing off and planting, re-meandered over 2km of straightened channel, installed 120 engineered woody debris features (flow restrictors, deflectors, gravel capture structures); removed 9km of flood embankment, planted 230ha of riparian woodland; created 30 wetlands; enhanced 125ha of raised bog, dammed 9km of ditch and controlled invasive plants along almost 500km of river.

The winning River Tweed catchment covers an area of 5000km2, straddling the border between England and Scotland. It is a river with an extremely rich and diverse natural, built and cultural heritage and the most productive salmon river in the UK. It is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.

Tweed Forum was presented with the Nigel Holmes Trophy, named after the hugely influential and passionate river restoration and conservation advocate, and a £10,000 prize to further their river restoration works.

The award prize is supported by the River Restoration Centre, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales, the Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and WWF-UK.

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