SWEF-e
Effectiveness of SWEF water restoration interventions
Contract period: 1st May 2025 to 31st May 2026
The Lancaster component of the Defra Water Restoration Fund grant to the Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (SWEF) focuses on the hydrological effectiveness of scrapes at holding flood waters (and maintaining low flows), grassland aeration methods at enhancing infiltration and green infrastructure at reducing nitrate concentration in small watercourses (SWEF-e). This effectiveness is judged through direct observations (rather than modelling of synthetic data). The Lancaster component involves the design and deployment of measurement systems, training of local farmers in measurements and systems maintenance, and in statistical analyse of the spatial and temporal data.
Telemetry units awaiting install (left), potential scrape location at Raw Croft, Swaledale (centre) and first aeration measurement area, Wensleydale (right)
The project comprises of the following budgeted tasks in chronological order:
- Task 1: Procure two trapezoidal flumes, two RX3004-based rainfall and level telemetry systems, two TDR350 soil moisture probes, and two SC900 compaction meters and build a Ring Permeameter. Budget covers purchase cost and one day of PI Chappell staff time for this task.
- Task 2: Fit stilling well to each trapezoidal flume, and build/setup two RX3004 tripod unit. Budget covers one day of PI Chappell staff time for this task.
- Task 3: Visit the two stream sites (one in Wensleydale, one in Swaledale) with flume installer to demonstrate how each flume should be installed. Budget covers two days of PI Chappell staff time for this task, plus travel and payment to builder to install the flumes.
- Task 4 Install the two RX3004-based rainfall and level telemetry systems (each system record level in the flume and level in the ‘scrape pond’). Give training to local farmer(s) on routine maintenance/cleaning of raingauges, level sensors and flume. Budget covers two days of PI Chappell staff time for this task, plus travel.
- Task 5: Routine maintenance/cleaning of raingauges, level sensors and flumes by local farmer(s) over 1 year. Budget covers a total of 24 hours of work over 1 year (Grade 5 technician equivalent) on an LU Engagement Contract for a local farmer(s).
- Task 6: Training local farmer(s) in the use of Ring Permeameters, TDR350 probes and SC900 compaction meters. Budget covers one day of PI Chappell staff time for this task, plus travel.
- Task 7: Ring Permeametry plus TDR350 and SC900 measurements by local farmer(s) over 1 year. Budget covers 200 hours of work (Grade 5 technician equivalent) on an LU Engagement Contract for a local farmer(s).
- Task 8: Procurement of water sample bottles, bottle labelling, log sheets preparation, and sample analysis (using an LU S::CAN ‘Spectrolyser’ or ‘Nitrolyser’) on two days at a base in Wensleydale or Swaledale. Budget covers procurement of sample bottles and two days of PI Chappell staff time for this task, plus travel for PI Chappell.
- Task 9: Statistical analyses and written reporting of data. Budget covers two days of PI Chappell staff time for this task.
- Task 10: Project meetings for reporting. Budget covers PI Chappell staff time for three days of meetings for reporting (mostly online), with one day of travel for PI Chappell.
(live rain, scrape water-level, flume level and discharge graphs)
(live rain, scrape water-level, flume level and discharge graphs)
Funding sources
Defra Rural Payments Agency (EAB7006) via Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust contract
Investigators
Nick A Chappell (PI), with local farmer support
Project partner
Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (SWEF), Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust
Outputs
Research publication(s) pending