Estuary Project
Partners - North Devon Biosphere Service, Environment Agency, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and local farmers
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The North Devon Biosphere offered grants and advice to farmers in the River Caen catchment and Bradiford Water through the Taw Torridge Estuary Project. Beginning in 2015/16 (year 1) the project is now in its fourth year (2018/19).
This work is helping to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture, create new wildlife habitats, and reduce flood risk. The project area is shown in the map below. Typical sources of water that can be treated are:
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YouTube video "Creating New Farm Wetlands" showing some of the projects undertaken in year 1 of the Estuary Project
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FOCUS AREA MAP (click to enlarge)
Newly constructed pond funded by the Estuary Project 2015/16
Benefits of the scheme are;
Looking at Wildfowl and Wetland Trust working wetlands at Slimmbridge
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The Project is supporting various techniques to reduce diffuse pollution and soil erosion including:
Simple interventions:
Larger interventions:
All these measures can reduce water pollution from agriculture as well as improving the soil structure and offering secondary benefits such as encouraging wildlife and reducing flood risk to downstream communities such as Braunton. Depending on the nature of individual farms, the wastewater, designs will vary in complexity from those you can easily create yourself, to something which requires more technical support which is available from the project. 
Newly constructed baffle ditch funded by the Estuary Project 2015/16
Project Reports
Workshop January 2016 discussing riparian buffer strips
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Sophia Craddock: 01271 388495 or 01271 388647 Email: sophia.j.craddock@devon.gov.uk
