River channel habitat improvements

This project was to improve an upstream stretch of the River Cherwell at Cropredy that was being heavily poached by grazing cattle.

The river was to be fenced off from the grazing cattle apart of a series of designated cattle drinking points which would be constructed with stone bases to prevent further erosion and sediment loading in the river.

The location of the cattle drinking points was agreed with the client and the farmer using historic locations where possible but also where they would have least impact on the river.

Once the drinking points were in place the 3km stretch of the river was then fenced on both sides linking up with the drinking points to prevent further poaching.

Several gravel riffles were installed along the stretch as well to improve the fishery habitat and encourage spawning.