This fish easement and habitat restoration project was designed to improve the habitat along approximately 700m of chalk stream upstream from the Mill at Durnsford to the road bridge at Werg in Mildenhall.


The mill structure prevented fish passage. 

This was resolved by modifying an existing sluice and back stream, as well as modifications to two offtake structures to enable the river to flow at a lower level.




The modifications will provide clean gravel and fast flowing water - an ideal spawning habitat for brown trout and grayling.  Marshy margins, quieter back waters and deeper pools using large woody debris, hazel faggots and coir rolls will increase the diversity of in-stream and marginal habitats.

Within a SSSI, this site in the middle Kennet waterbody was failing to meet ‘good ecological status’ due to poor fish populations.  It was also the stretch most heavily impacted by Chlorpyrifos pollution in 2013.

Carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England,
Mr & Mrs Pepper, Savernake Flyfishers and ARK volunteers.