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Whitewool Farm - Regenerative DrainagePROTECTING THE ASSET
Over the Winter months a large amount of water runs directly into Whitewool Stream.
This then finds it's way very quickly from Meon Springs right along the river and into the Solent. (My guess is that a molecule of water entering Whitewool Stream in the morning will be in The Solent by the end of the day). If we can develop systems and features to get more of that water to enter the aquifer, this will be stored for many months and released slowly via the Springs, thereby reducing the low flow period and increasing the amount of water in the Upper Meon over the Summer. INFILTRATION METHODS The key to achieve this is improving infiltration and one way of doing this is by developing a series of Infiltration Features that slow the water flow before it enters the stream and allows downward diversion through to the aquifer below. Methods include installation of features such as small reservoirs, as well as various improvements and installations designed to manage stormwater (run-off). They could also include recharge pits, drainage trenches, vegetated ditches and mounds systems. With all of these techniques, the water passes through the unsaturated zone before reaching the aquifer. These simple infiltration methods are often used in managed aquifer recharge projects around the world, notably in places where there are frequent water shortages. They are very effective as they are relatively easy to maintain. They also have the added bonus of reducing sediments and pollution entering the stream and reducing the flood risk in peak rainfall events. |
WHITEWOOL STREAM WETLAND
NITRATE MITIGATION FOR THE SOLENT AREA To discuss Nitrate Mitigation or Nitrate Credits please call or drop an email
to Jamie Butler "The Valley is the Wetland" WHITEWOOL STREAM WETLAND PROJECT
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water pathway report
Recently, the farm commissioned ADAS, via Natural England, to create a Water Pathway report. This illustrated how a large amount of run off can be prevented from entering the river in wet downpours. The below diagram illustrates some of the recommendations.
Work on implementing this report has already begun.
Work on implementing this report has already begun.
“Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children's lifetime.”
Luna Bergere Leopold
A leading U.S. geomorphologist and hydrologist