(click on map to enlarge)
The Bowmont Water, known as the River Glen in its lower reaches, is a major tributary in the Tweed catchment on the Scottish/English border.
As the above map shows, the river is highly dynamic in draining the northern slopes of the Cheviot and the floodplains are of vital importance to local agriculture. Over many generations modifications have been made to the land in an attempt to control the rivers and protect land and property against frequent flooding.
Following a recent series of devastating floods, the rivers of the Bowmont Valley and River Glen and their rural communities have been left highly vulnerable to potential flood events.
In a move to develop a more sustainable management system for the catchment, the Tweed Forum, on behalf of a consortium of responsible agencies, commissioned MNV Consulting Ltd to investigate the nature of the problems faced in the catchment.
The study investigated the potential for Sustainable Catchment Management (SCM) techniques to be applied within the Bowmont – Glen catchment, with focus on managing rivers and flooding.
A technical steering group was consulted to ensure the study was carried out effectively. Local landowners have been involved through various workshops and meetings, helping to give information and to comment on the management proposals put forward. In this way it is anticipated that the land use changes proposed in the Bowmont-Glen Catchment Initiative will work realistically alongside traditional land use.
It is hoped that the project will initiate a movement towards sustainable management of the river and the land in a manner that is compatible with rural industries. It may be seen as a pilot study, which could form the basis of future work in other catchments throughout the UK.
It is also hoped that the study will prove valuable in the context of rolling out new regulatory procedures and legislation, particularly given its cross-border context.
The Bowmont-Glen Catchment Initiative has involved extensive research and development, generating significant technical and catchment detail of interest to a wide range of local groups.
Over the next few weeks, MNV will post a series of articles encapsulating the key learning points and conclusions – just click ‘The Bowmont-Glen Catchment Initiative’ link under ‘Select Category’ on the front page to see all of the posts in sequence.
Please email, or call us on 01877 331080 to discuss these posts.
