Project - Taw River Improvement Project (TRIP)
Lead Partner - Westcountry Rivers Trust

The weir at North Wyke

The River Taw is one of the South West's most beautiful and culturally iconic rivers, but despite appearances, it has problems, which limit its ability to function naturally. The Taw River Improvement Project (TRIP) involved £1.8 million of restoration work between 2012 and 2015, which was invested to improve water quality across the whole catchment and to help achieve the goals of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).  The final report for the project is here.

The TRIP aimed to improve the health of this vital river ecosystem through targeted habitat management work and by reducing the amount of pollution entering the rivers. Funding was also used to remove river obstacles such as weirs. This helps create joined up habitats and makes it easier for fish and other aquatic animals to move freely between different stretches of river.  The TRIP was a partnership project with different organisations offering specialist advice and help.

Take a look at the time-lapse video below of weir removal carried out as part of the TRIP.

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The River TAW catchment - the TRIP area

The Westcountry Rivers Trust (WRT) worked with farmers and landowners to provide advice and support to protect the River Taw and sub-catchments. They provided farm management plans which identified environmental and economic opportunities to improve water quality and strengthen the farm business. These plans were supported by grant funding, where appropriate, for watercourse fencing, improvements to livestock drinking or crossing points and associated works such as coppicing or gated access. WRT also carried out several fish access/easement projects and in-river habitat improvements through the management of banks, debris dams and spawning gravels.

Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) worked with landowners to help manage wildlife habitats, in particular culm grasslands. They also helped to create new habitats especially where they connected up existing areas of wildlife value.  Grants were available for implementing projects or assistance was given with applications to other wildlife grant schemes.  DWT focussed on the Little Dart, Huntacott Water and Sturcombe River for the TRIP.

The Silvanus Trust worked with landowners to provide advice for the management and planting of woodlands in the River Taw valley and sub-catchments.  Free site visits were offered to identify economically viable management opportunities to enhance woodland quality and incomes, as well as ultimately improving local water quality. Support was provided towards applying for appropriate grants.

The North Devon Biosphere Service has arranged surveys to help the survival of the critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel.  This rare and interesting species depends upon clean water and clean gravels for the young to develop in and the presence of salmon/trout in whose gills the larval stage spend nearly a year.  A Habitat Walkover Survey was carried out using volunteers along sections of the River Mole. March 2013 Survey Results

FWAG SouthWest worked with farmers and landowners to provide advice and support to protect and enhance water quality in the River Taw and sub-catchments. In-depth targeted advice was provided on nutrient management, soil husbandry and agronomy to help farmers achieve cost savings and reduce potential losses to the environment.  A free soil sampling and advisory service was also available. 

TRIP Newsletter Feb 2013
File Size:	2247 kb
File Type:	pdf

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TRIP Newsletter Year 1
File Size:	5465 kb
File Type:	pdf

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TRIP Newsletter Year 2
File Size:	2134 kb
File Type:	pdf

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