The River Glaven is a small chalkstream in north Norfolk. The headwaters are at Lower Bodham and Baconsthorpe. The river flows for some 17km, first in a south-westerly direction, then turning to the north before finally entering the sea at the tidal sluice at Cley. The gradient is steep for a lowland river. Historically there were 11 water mills on the Glaven. Today 5 mill structures remain and that at Letheringsett is still in operation. The RGCG undertook a river restoration project upstream of Letheringsett Ford, between TG 060383 and TG 057376. Most of the practical work took place in October 2006, but there was a spread of tasks through September to November.

The project had a long gestation period. The concept of what we wanted to develop followed an advisory visit in September 2003. The finance required to make it happen was granted in May 2006 through the newly formed Cinderella Chalk Rivers Project, a national scheme run by the Wild Trout Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency and English Nature.

This report sets out the main steps as the concept, preparation work and the implementation. The concept section includes the characteristics of the river, the proposed improvements, and the thinking behind these. The part on implementation sets out in some detail how the work was done: logistics and materials; construction work for riffles, river narrowing, mid stream islands, large woody debris deflectors and bank spoil removal and protection; project costs and control; and the follow-through.

This was the first major project to be undertaken by the RGCG. A short companion report, which is based on our experience here, highlights key points to consider in the planning and implementation of a river restoration project. Other conservation bodies in a similar situation might find that the companion report gives them some additional useful pointers.  

Using the link points below you will be able to see a report with photographs of the project.

The photograph below will change every few seconds to give you an indication of the work undertaken

It should be noted that there is no public or permitted access to the river restoration site or adjoining meadows.

© All text and photographs River Glaven Conservation Group February 2007

Photographs since the work was undertaken can be seen using this link

A PDF version [403 kb] of the text of the “Report” can be seen here

We are pleased to advise you that the Cinderella Project has been declared the Professional Category winners of the 2007 Wild Trout Trust and Orvis Conservation awards.

Professor David Bellamy presented the prizes to the RGCG representatives at the Natural History Museum on September 16th.

More details can be seen in the latest newsletter. A pdf version is able to be viewed here.