River Lark Channel Restoration project. A section of the River Lark – successful naturalisation 3 years on.
The River Lark chalk stream is a unique and important habitat of which there are very few worldwide. Fed by a spring from the underlying chalk just southwest of Bury St Edmunds, it spans 50km crossing the Suffolk/Cambridgeshire border northwards towards Mildenhall and the low-lying Brecks Fens beyond.
It supports a wide range of diverse species and has important historic significance to the area being used for navigation since the Roman era. The upper river is also an important focus for prehistoric activity particularly the Neolithic enclosure at Fornham All Saints.
Over time, the Lark had become degraded and couldn’t support the rich and varied wildlife it once did. The River Lark Restoration project seeks to improve the ecology and habitat quality of many stretches of the River Lark via restoration works to naturalise the river banks and channel. It aims to restore the river section to a more natural profile and flow, improving ecological quality, supporting priority species, and creating new spawning areas for fish.
Miles Water is delighted to have provided some of the in-river heavy engineering works, but there is still much work to do. The River Lark Catchment Partnership is a group of organisations and individuals that have come together to enable a cohesive approach to the environmental challenges facing the River Lark. If you would like to know more or to find out how you can help, please visit their website: www.riverlark.org.uk