Restoring and enhancing natural processes on the River Petteril
Project facts
- ClientEden Rivers Trust
- LocationCumbria, UK
- DateMarch 2025
- ChallengeComplex hydrology and urban constraints requiring detailed flood risk analysis
- SolutionDevelopment of a 1D-2D hydraulic model and testing 24 restoration scenarios
The challenge
As part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Access Eden project, the River Petteril Restoration Project aimed to enhance flood resilience, restore natural river processes, and improve biodiversity and public access. However, the project area presented several challenges:
- Complex Hydrology: The River Petteril and its tributary, Cammock Beck, required detailed hydrological assessment to inform restoration design.
- Urban Constraints: The proximity to infrastructure, including rail lines and urban development, necessitated careful modelling of flood risk and restoration impacts.
The solution
To address these challenges, Haskoning developed a comprehensive hydraulic modelling approach:
- 1D-2D Linked Hydraulic Model: A new ESTRY/TUFLOW model was built to simulate both in-channel and floodplain dynamics. The model incorporated detailed survey data and Environment Agency LiDAR.
- Hydrological Assessment: Up-to-date inflows for the River Petteril and Cammock Beck were derived ensuring accurate boundary conditions.
- Restoration Options Modelling: Three restoration scenarios were tested:
- Option 1: Rerouting the River Petteril to bypass a meander and reduce erosion.
- Option 2: Creating a series of restoration ponds to enhance flood storage and habitat.
- Option 3: Lowering the floodplain and introducing a scrape to improve floodplain connectivity.
- Scenario Testing: The model simulated 24 scenarios, including baseline, low flow, and climate change conditions, to assess the performance of each option
Haskoning is an excellent company to work with. The experts have a great understanding of river systems and work really hard to deliver what the client has asked for.
The result
Modelling provided foundation for the River Petteril restoration:
- Evidence-Based Design: The model outputs informed the selection and refinement of restoration options, ensuring they met flood risk and ecological objectives.
- Climate Resilience: Future climate scenarios supported long-term planning and adaptation.
- Stakeholder Confidence: The transparent and robust modelling approach facilitated collaboration among partners and stakeholders, including local authorities and infrastructure operators.
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