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A pioneering initiative aimed at mitigating flooding
The Spains Hall Estate Beaver Reintroduction project, launched in 2019, is a pioneering initiative aimed at mitigating flooding in Finchingfield, a historic village in Northwest Essex. This project, a collaboration between Spains Hall Estate, the Environment Agency (EA), AtkinsRéalis, and King’s College London, exemplifies the potential of nature-based solutions in addressing environmental challenges.
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The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Beaver reintroduction project
Spains Hall Estate, a 2,000-acre farming estate, situated upstream from the village of Finchingfield, has long sought a sustainable approach to reducing downstream flooding. The solution involved reintroducing beavers to a 10-acre woodland stream on the estate, marking the first time in over 400 years that beavers were released in East Anglia. The initial pair of beavers, now a family of 11, has constructed nine dams, dramatically altering water flow across the estate.
These dams have created ponds that store an estimated 3 million litres of water, covering almost a quarter of the woodland. This natural damming process has proven highly effective in regulating stormwater runoff, with water now flowing downstream at a slower rate and, in some cases, being held for months. This has reduced flooding during heavy rains and helped alleviate low river levels in the summer.
We are delighted that the beavers have thrived and improved the landscape. Their work has demonstrated that nature-based solutions can be used to tackle challenges in smaller river catchments.
Matt Butcher
Environment Agency Catchment Manager
Whole Farm Reservoir approach
AtkinsRéalis played a crucial role in the project by using advanced hydrological and ecological modeling to understand the broader impacts of the beaver activity. Our expertise helped develop a Whole Farm Reservoir approach, identifying areas on the estate where water could be naturally stored. To engage stakeholders, we created an animation that illustrate the project’s effects over time, showing how the beaver dams have transformed the landscape and water flow.
Data collected by King’s College London, including drone surveys, has been instrumental in tracking the beavers’ influence on the estate’s hydrology. This data will inform long-term strategies not only for Spains Hall Estate but also for other areas where similar nature-based solutions can be applied.
The project is a great example of how we’re able to use digital tools within a natural environment to enhance our understanding of what’s happening on the ground, and use that data to better inform how we support the project.
Molly Howell
Assistant Environmental Scientist, AtkinsRéalis
Community and environmental benefits
The project has garnered widespread local support, with the community embracing the beavers and their positive impact on the environment. The project has already yielded significant results, reducing flooding in Finchingfield and boosting local biodiversity. The success of the beaver reintroduction is encouraging interest in expanding these methods to other regions in the UK. The Spains Hall Estate Beaver Reintroduction project stands as a model of how nature-based interventions can offer cost-effective, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, helping to mitigate flooding, enhance biodiversity, and support resilient water management systems.
To learn more about how organisations can work together to create nature-based solutions, watch The Power of Multifunctional Farms.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
We took a chance 5 years ago that bringing beavers back would be beneficial, and it’s proven to be better than we could ever have imagined. Locally there is widespread support for the beavers and their work, with the community really taking them to their heart. You can even find beaver greetings cards, beaver beer and beaver-themes on local menus!
Archie Ruggles-Brise
Spains Hall Estate Manager
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Markets
Water
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Location
Essex, UK
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Client
Spains Hall Estate
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Collaborators
Environment Agency (EA), King’s College London
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Completion date
2024
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