Case Studies

We were instructed by the Environment Agency to carry out bank erosion control using rock armour on the River Brit, Bridport

One of the largest restoration projects undertaken by Kingcombe Aquacare, Mells Park presented us with a wide range of challenges.

Mells Park boasts two large lakes, both in the region of 3 ha in size and both sitting on-line with the River Mells itself. The lakes were heavily silted up, so much so that 90% of the top lake had become lost in a willow carr.  Different methods of silt extraction were adopted for each lake, and in total more than 110,000m³ of silt was extracted and moved to disposal sites on the Estate.  Both of the dams were leaking and required major repairs and renovation to meet the requirements of the Reservoirs Act.

We were appointed by this developer to carry out various in channel works within a new development at Pymore Village near Bridport. The new houses are clustered around an old mill complex which is also being converted into appartments. The Environment Agency had been involved in detailed flood modeling of the site and they required work to be carried out to improve the channel flows.

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The 300 year old lake at Eythrope Park is the dominant landscape feature set within a parkland setting of historical importance. The lake has sadly deteriorated over the years, however, in particular due to the expansion of nearby Aylesbury and subsequent changes in water quality in the River Thame, which feeds the lake.

Kingcombe Aquacare was tasked to visit and inspect each feature and prepare reports on their condition together with proposals for improving and rectifying problems where appropriate. John Colton carried out surveys on a total of 31 water features, ranging from large natural lakes to small constructed ornamental pools. His final report drew attention to any common maintenance problems and identified how these might be overcome.

Sneed Park is an area of open landscape situated on the area of a medieval deer park, now totally enclosed by the urban expansion of Bristol. A small stream runs through the park down to the River Avon. It passes through a lake of approximately ½ hectare in size. Several prestigious residences look out over this lake, which serves as an important conservation feature within the landscape.

Kingcombe Aquacare was instructed by the receivers, Touche Ross, to manage a trout farming company in receivership until the assets could be sold. The company had a very diverse operation. It consisted of 3 individual trout rearing sites, all totally different in design and operation. One was a traditional Danish-type earth pond system, producing approximately 60 tonnes per annum.

John Colton was instructed by solicitors acting on behalf of Eagle Star Insurance, following a serious pollution incident, when a tank ruptured on the insured's farm, resulting in a virtual 100% kill of the stock of a trout farm downstream.

Our client had recently developed Waters End Farm as a fish farm. It consisted of a series of natural earth ponds of differing sizes, all fed from a header channel which collected water from springs rising on the farm.

Kingcombe Aquacare was tasked with developing a method statement for removal of the silt from the lake without damaging the environment. The cost of disposal to a landfill site made this option unacceptable, and in any case the environmental cost of hauling the wet material through the streets of Eltham could not be justified. There had to be another way.

Our client wished to construct an amenity and conservation lake in the valley below his property on this secluded Dorset farm. Unfortunately the only appropriate site for aesthetic and practical purposes was contiguous to, but not part of, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Foxcote Estate has been restored over recent years to become one of the foremost shooting properties in the UK. Kingcombe Aquacare has been closely involved in this project, having already cleaned out and restored three large and historic lakes on the estate.

Kingcombe Aquacare was awarded the contract to manage the project and carry out the actual restoration, following a competitive tendering process. Because of access difficulties and the cost of waste disposal to landfill, with Environment Agency approval, adjacent parkland was identified as a suitable area for silt disposal.

Rycote Park was the site of an Elizabethan royal palace, and the main house still incorporates part of that original building. The extensive grounds include a lake of almost 5 hectares, part of which dates back to Elizabethan times but which was considerably enlarged and landscaped by Capability Brown in the 18th Century.

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Working for the Royal Parks through their facilities contractor Carillion Services we carried out a pumped desilting operation in Waterhouse pond.

Kingcombe Aquacare was contracted for the first time in 1992 to manage the water quality for the Institute. Using a combination of techniques, including herbicides, weed harvesting and barley straw control of algae, we were able to maintain clear water throughout the season, with not a single day of training being lost. We have been retained to manage the water quality and weed control regime on an annual basis ever since.

Our Waterscapes team were instructed to recreate a Japanese pond feature after two previous contractors had failed. With exposed liner, incorrect gradient and numerous leaks, it was decided that the old membrane needed removing, the profile re-shaping and a new liner installing. Working around many delicate and specimen plants, our Waterscapes team skillfuly manouvered large machinery into position to carry out the work.

Kingcombe Aquacare designed the circular pond and Jet d'Eau that now sits proudly in front of the main entrance to Wilbury Park. Working closely with the main contractors on this prestigious restoration project, Ken Biggs (Contractors) Ltd, Kingcombe Aquacare was asked to assist with the construction of this important water feature, having already successfully completed the creation of a more informal lake in the grounds of the property.

Our client was lucky enough to already have a sizable pond, complete with a cantelever deck area. The brief was to improve the vista from the deck by creating a natural looking cascade.

Our Waterscapes team were instructed to build a wildlife pond and trickling stream to define a boundary in this Wiltshire garden. Working to a design concept from a Landscape Architect, the 150 metre long stream is intersected with purbeck stone stratum to give the impression that the water has cut its way through natural rock outcrops. Recirculated water emerges form of a natural looking springhead where it bubbles out from between three large Sarsen stones.

Our client, whose garden is bordered by a tributary of the River Brit, was losing a good proportion of his garden each time the river flooded during heavy rain fall. Kingcombe Aquacare were called in to inspect the site and advise on possible solutions.

Our client was experiencing problems with silt deposition and a receding bank in a former mill pool fed by a tributary of the River Frome. The old weir walls were not retaining water and so the whole pool required sympathetic restoration.

Since 1987 Kingcombe Aquacare has been responsible for carrying out predator control by annual electric fishing on the River Frome for the clients.

Our Waterscapes team were instructed to build a wildlife pond and trickling stream to define a boundary in this Wiltshire garden. Working to a design concept from a Landscape Architect, the 150 metre long stream is intersected with purbeck stone stratum to give the impression that the water has cut its way through natural rock outcrops. Recirculated water emerges form of a natural looking springhead where it bubbles out from between three large Sarsen stones.

Working for a Private Client through the award winning Landscape Architect Tom Stuart Smith we were employed to advise on, and construct a new amenity lake at the edge of the garden as part of a major redevelopment of the property.

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On a site visit to discuss other works we spotted a pile of rusty metal components in the corner of a shed, they looked like part of a Victorian cast iron waterwheel. Eventually we collected the components, blast cleaned them, and made patterns for a local foundry to make new cast iron pieces poured into sand moulds.