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Resilient rivers

Harnessing nature-based solutions to ensure that Eden's rivers are resilient to climate change and other pressures ... ensuring a brighter future for all.

Healthy, resilient rivers are the lifeblood of our landscapes. 
They support farming, wildlife, communities, and climate resilience. 

At Eden Rivers Trust (ERT), we’re working with farmers, landowners, Government agencies and fellow NGOs to restore and protect river systems across the Eden Catchment—because when rivers thrive, everything around them does too.

Sunn day. In the background are fells, sweeping away towards the sky. IN the foreground can see clear water running through a pebbly river channel, with wetland grasses scattered on either side of the river on a green field. Sunn day. In the background are fells, sweeping away towards the sky. IN the foreground can see clear water running through a pebbly river channel, with wetland grasses scattered on either side of the river on a green field.

River Irthing

River Eden

River Petteril

Why resilient rivers are essential

Tackling floods and droughts naturally

Resilient rivers help regulate water flow—reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall and maintaining steady water supplies during drought. By restoring natural river processes, we can buffer extreme weather events and safeguard water for people, crops, and wildlife.

Cleaner water, healthier communities

Access to healthy rivers brings a wide range of benefits that ripple through local communities and landscapes. From recreation and tourism to employment, transport, and sustainable drainage, resilient rivers support both people and nature.

Natural river systems act as powerful filters—reducing pollutants and sediment, improving water quality, and ensuring cleaner drinking water. This leads to healthier ecosystems, stronger agricultural productivity, and better outcomes for public health.

 

Climate resilience starts in the floodplain

Resilient rivers do more than carry water—they help fight climate change. By restoring natural floodplains, we unlock their ability to sequester carbon, turning them into powerful tools for climate mitigation.

Reinstating natural river processes and habitats strengthens the entire river system. It boosts biodiversity, improves water management, and builds resilience against the increasing frequency and intensity of floods and droughts—challenges we’re already facing due to shifting climate patterns.

By working together to restore valley floodplains, we’re not just protecting the environment—we’re investing in a future where nature, farming, and communities can thrive side by side.

Supporting regenerative agriculture

Rivers also play a vital role in regenerative farming—supporting soil health, crop productivity, and long-term food security.

At ERT, we believe the best way to build river resilience is to restore and replicate natural river processes. This means giving rivers the space to move, breathe, and function as they were meant to.

We use nature-based solutions across the floodplain to improve how water is stored and released—reducing flood risk, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting river health during both droughts and heavy rainfall.

Our restoration techniques include:

  • Re-meandering straightened channels (“re-wiggling”) to slow flow and create diverse habitats,
  • Removal of embankments/reduction of height of artificially deepened river channels to allow the river to spill out onto its floodplain,
  • Introducing rapids and riffles to oxygenate water and support aquatic life,
  • Digging scrapes in the floodplain to act as temporary water storage during peak flows.

These interventions help rivers become more dynamic, more resilient, and better able to support wildlife.

What do ERT do?

We work in partnership with farmers, landowners, councils, government agencies, and funders to deliver practical, nature-based solutions that restore river health and build long-term resilience. Here's some of the key areas we focus on:

grassy field by the side of a river. Far to the left is a wooden and wire fence that extends along the whole length of the field, parallel to the river

Creating riparian buffer zones

We promote the adoption of riparian buffers, particularly the establishment of extra-wide buffers of natural vegetation (25m plus) along riverbanks to:

  • Prevent agricultural pollution from entering waterways,
  • Keep livestock out of rivers, protecting water quality and riverbed habitats.

Riparian buffers can include fencing where needed and additional tree, hedge and/or other planting to support it.

Photo: Riparian buffer at Langwathby along the banks of the Eden - stabilising an eroding riverbank, ensuring that nutrients don't reach the river.

A narrow meandering watercourse, fringed by thick mixed grassland with yellow flowers abundant at waters edge.

Reconnecting rivers to their floodplains

We restore rivers to their natural floodplains to:

  • Create a variety of wetland habitats that boost biodiversity,
  • Retain water during peak flows, reducing downstream flood risk,
  • Sequester carbon and improve climate resilience.
     

We work with a wide variety of partners, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, landowners and tenant farmers, local councils, and private businesses, with funding from both public and private sources.

This photo shows a river restoration at Thrimby, where a straightened channel was eroding the embankment of the West Coast Mainline. We created a new 'wiggled' channel, connected to the floodplain to protect the railway, improve habitat, and slow the flow of water. 

Domestic septic tank replacement

We support the replacement of outdated or disconnected septic tanks to prevent household pollution from entering rivers, thereby improving water quality and public health. We work with Local Councils and grant funders to help local residents access funding and opportunities.

Is your tank cleaning or contaminating?

Watch our webinar about septic tanks, with useful information about different types of tanks, hints and tips on how to maintain them.

We’re currently supporting the scheme run by Our Rivers to replace septic tanks in selected parts of the Eden catchment.

Our vision for resilient rivers

We will build on our strong track record of restoring river resilience, creating rich, diverse habitats for both aquatic and terrestrial species, while helping rivers naturally regulate water temperature and nutrient levels—key ingredients for a balanced ecosystem.

To strengthen this connection between rivers and their surrounding landscapes, we’re bringing the latest thinking and research to our work. 

An example of this is our introduction of extra-wide buffer zones along riverbanks. These zones provide space for nature to flourish, improve long-term sustainability, and help reconnect rivers with their riparian valley systems—creating space for nature, improving sustainability, and strengthening the bond between rivers and the land.