Island Flood Damage

After last weeks flood I gave the Swans nesting island a thorough inspection this morning. I removed some tree branches and other debris and did some remedial work on some edges of the moat. There are two areas which have considerable erosion, and will almost certainly need some shoring up to protect it from future heavy spates. The west side is worst where the flood water had swirled into the side and undermined the bank. This means that the Swans will no longer be able to climb out of the water and up that side because of the steepness and depth of water .

I might have to consider wiring part of the side to prevent future loss of shingle and banking.

Otherwise the island stood up well to the battering which removed the shingle island just below the merryton bridge. The numerous trees and roots acted like scouring pads on the river bed, shifting hundreds of tons of material downsteam. The poor ducks are at a loss where to sit now that much of the shingle has gone ! Depending on future spates the shingle will probably build up again just below the merryton footbridge.