Specialists in Water Management for Landscapes, Fisheries, Leisure and Conservation
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Case study 3. Lake Restoration Works |
The empty lake showing the vast
amount of silt to be removed Removing the fish whilst draining the
lake Silt removal in
progress
Client: Bristol City Council
Location: Eastville Park, Nr Fishponds, Bristol
Description of Contract:
Eastville Park is a Victorian amenity park sited within the northern suburbs of Bristol. It boasts a lake of over one hectare in size, which has been used in the past for boating and ornamental wildfowl. However, by 2003 the lake had become badly silted up, in places water was leaking through the dam into the River Frome alongside, the two islands were totally overgrown, and the boathouse had been vandalised and had fallen into disrepair. With financial assistance from the Environment Agency and further funding from the Aggregates Tax, Bristol City Council Parks Department took on the challenge to restore the lake.
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. A series of 7 large bunds were excavated to retain the silt. Over a period of 2 months in February and March 2003, the lake was drained down, the fish rescued and the silt then excavated and pumped almost ˝ mile to the settlement bunds.
Meanwhile the two islands were cleared to encourage the original specimen trees, and the fallen timber used to revet the banks and extend the surface area of the islands. The old boathouse was demolished, to make way for a new boating concession with maintenance and café facilities.
Because of funding constraints the project was subject to a tight time restriction, but Kingcombe Aquacare managed to complete the works within the specified budget and within the time scale allowed.