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Long-Term Floodplain Restoration in New Forest and Cole Catchments, United Kingdom

Last update
2026
Summary
Sponge Scapes case study UK 06

These two catchments benefited from floodplain restoration (river remeandering, logjams, etc) in the early 2000’s.

Blackwater and Highland Water, sub-catchments of the Lymington river in the New Forest National Park (in the UK South-East River Basin District), underwent restoration in the early 2000s. Straightening of historic woodland streams in the 19th century disrupted natural seasonal flooding, dried the forest, limited animal access, and accelerated erosion. Restoration efforts reconnected the river with its floodplain, restored its natural forms, and revitalized the surrounding floodplain forest habitats.

The River Cole is located in the Thames River Basin District, west of Oxford. Predominantly rural, the river catchment faces flooding and water quality issues, worsened by urban run-off from the urban area of Swindon at is headwaters. Rehabilitation projects in the early 2010s addressed these challenges, enhancing wildlife corridors and benefiting key species.
Latitude
50.535
Longitude
1.3848
Project
SpongeScapes
Transboundary
0
Photo gallery

Location of the project
Blackwater and Highland Water are sub-catchments of the Lymington river in the New Forest National Park (in the UK South-East River Basin District). The River Cole is located in the Thames River Basin District, west of Oxford.
Project's objectives
The core objective is to understand better the impact of floodplain restoration activities in the long term (over almost three decades). Has the Restoration activity altered the flood hydrology? Can we detect the type and trend of hydraulic change over the period of restoration? How has the restoration altered the instream ecology?
Involved Partners
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
Nature park
New forest National Park Authority
Lymington River catchment' owner
NGO
National Trust NGO
Cole River catchement's owner
Other
Natural England
Other
Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission is a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in Great Britain. Its mission is to protect and expand Britain’s forests and enhance their value to society and the environment.
Other
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is responsible for flood management, waste management, regulating land and water pollution, and conservation
Other
Hampshire County Council
NGO
RSPB Bird and Wildlife Conservation Charity
Research institute / University
Educ (University of Southampton)

Climate zone
cool temperate moist

Community involvment
No
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Name Key issues Comments
Policy target
Target purpose
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Pressures remarks
Along the Lymington river, straightening of historic woodland streams in the 19th century disrupted natural seasonal flooding, dried the forest, limited animal access, and accelerated erosion.

The river Cole catchment faces flooding and water quality issues, worsened by urban run-off from the urban area of Swindon at is headwaters.
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Contractual arrangements
0
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments
Part of wider plan
0
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments

For this case study, there is long-term data (since 1994) on river flow, calibrated hydraulic models before/after floodplain restoration and ecological data (macrophytes and macroinvertebrates) at the restored and a control site taken after the restoration. Data gathering, analysis and modelling will help identify sponge functioning over the past 18 years relative to 26 years of natural variability. The eco-survey will be repeated to quantify and understand changing biodiversity.
For this case-study, we have long-term data (since 1994) on river flow, calibrated hydraulic models before/after floodplain restoration and ecological data (macrophytes and macroinvertebrates) at the restored and a control site taken after the restoration. Data gathering, analysis and modelling will help identify sponge functioning over the past 18 years relative to 26 years of natural variability. We will also repeat the eco-survey to quantify and understand changing biodiversity.

Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments Order
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments Order
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments Order
English