Restoring the River Leven: Phase Two (Summer 2024)

A key phase of improvements to the River Leven flowing through the heart of Levenmouth is about to get under way.
Following successful work on the north shore of the river over the last year, the Restoring the River Leven Project’s Phase Two will now focus on the stretch between the Kirkland and Burn Mill Dams with modifications planned to make it easier for fish to migrate up and downstream.
The Leven Programme’s vision is to restore the river for the benefit of local people and wildlife, and one way to achieve this is to remove or adapt some of the man-made challenges that have impacted the way the river functions.
So, working closely with river restoration specialists cbec-eco-engineering, the local community, landowners and other key stakeholders, the Leven Programme devised a number of improvements to allow the river to work more naturally.
For Kirkland Dam, the proposal involves using rocks and boulders to create a rough surface on the face of the dam, sloping down to the natural riverbed below. This will remove the jump or step which is restricting the movement of fish and will provide areas of faster and slower flowing water to help the fish move up and down the structure more easily.
For Burn Mill Dam, which is already in a bad condition, the plan is to remove the structure completely.
Other improvements planned include: the creation of shallow ‘ponded’ areas to promote wetland and wet woodland habitat; the removal of rock and stone bank protection to be replaced with greener more sustainable alternatives; the planting of native trees and wetland plants along the riverbanks and floodplain areas; and the placement of large wood along and within the river to encourage natural processes and provide shelter for fish, birds and invertebrates.
Music: www.purple-planet.com.