Wootton

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Wootton

Beginning in 2016, a two-phase restoration project transformed 2.5 miles of riverine woodland along the River Avon at Wootton by infilling artificial drainage channels, raising the river bed and removing spoil embankments to reconnect the river with its floodplain.

The work restored natural meanders, extending this stretch from 1,700m of straightened channel to 2,159m, slowing water flow and erosion while enhancing riverine woodland and wet grassland habitats.

Map of Wootton HLS restoration site along Avon Water from Wootton to Mead End, outlined in blue with north arrow and scale bar

What were the issues?

Around 1860, at a time when commercial conifer plantations began in the New Forest, the River Avon was straightened leading to ever-increasing erosive energy incising the channel bed in Wootton Inclosure.

At some points, the channel bed reached up to two metres deep. It got to the point where restoration was unavoidable.

What's being done

A two-phase restoration project at Wootton between 2016 and 2019 infilled drainage channels, removed side drains, reinstated meanders and created a new stock crossing, using a combination of clearance and full reprofiling to restore the river’s natural course.

Monitoring has since shown improved natural functioning, greater habitat diversity and stronger floodplain interaction, with a 2025 report by Footprint Ecology concluding the work has slowed flows, enhanced wooded floodplain habitat, maintained high water quality and potentially reduced downstream flood risk.

'The flow has slowed, and more water is being held upstream, potentially decreasing the likelihood and severity of downstream flooding...the floodplain Alder Moor, in particular, appears to have become more structurally diverse due to the changes in hydrology'

Extract from Footprint Ecology's 2025 report