What is the Project?
The Kinder Catchment Improvement Project is a partnership project between the National Trust, United Utilities and Natural England to restore the significant areas of eroded moorland of Kinder to deliver a number of inter-related raw water quality, biodiversity, and landscape benefits. The project is running from 2010-2015.
Where is it?
The project covers the Kinder catchment.
What is the Purpose?
- Restoration of the hydraulic function of the catchment by raising the water table and re-wetting the degraded blanket bog. This is through blocking gullies and restoring and enhancing vegetation, resulting in a reduction in suspended sediments, colour and dissolved organic carbon in the raw water.
- Reducing the rate of run-off resulting in a reduction of suspended sediments, colour and dissolved organic carbon in the raw water during and following rainfall by re-wetting and blocking gullies.
- Reducing erosion and release of sediment, and reducing overland flow by extending existing clough woodland.
- Reducing the pathogen loading in the raw water by stock exclusion from the Kinder plateau and sensitive stock management in the wider Kinder catchment.
What Habitats will Benefit?
Blanket Bog, Upland Heathland, Clough Woodland.
What Species will Benefit?
Species which will benefit include Golden Plover, Skylark, Dunlin, Curlew and Mountain Hare.
What has already been Achieved?
Fencing work is well underway to enable better stock management, which will significantly improve the restoration of vegetation on Kinder Plateau.
What is Planned?
All SSSI land should be in favourable or recovering condition (792 hectares) by 2015.
Creation of up to 3ha of new native woodland.
Who is Involved?
The National Trust is leading the project with United Utilities; funding for habitat work is through the Higher Level Stewardship scheme, and National Trust volunteers are involved. A Kinder Catchment Project Officer is employed by the National Trust.
How can I find out more?
There is a wealth of information and photographs on the project website at: