The Upper Nith River Restoration Project will enhance a section of the Upper Nith for the benefit of the river, wildlife and the local community
Tweed Forum, in partnership with SEPA, have been delivering restoration works along a 5.2 km stretch of the upper Nith between Kirkconnel and New Cumnock, East Ayrshire. The restoration works involve moving historic flood embankments further back/away from the river channel (so that the river can reconnect with its floodplain; also called “setting-back”) thereby enhancing the riparian corridor. Working in close collaboration with landowners the project has created a workable solution that fits in with farming and business objectives, and allows the natural features of the river to be restored. It is hoped that by addressing the legacy of engineered embankments and the loss of riparian habitats, the upper Nith will improve on its previously ‘poor’ ecological status (as classified by SEPA’s national monitoring programme.)
Tweed Forum, landowners and SEPA have assessed various options before progressing onto detailed designs and extensive flood modelling. During summer 2019, the first 1.1 km of floodbank setback was completed. The previous floodbanks at that site were very unstable, having burst in 2013 and in again 2015. A second site was completed in 2020, with a third site delivered in 2021. Works at the final site were completed in summer 2025. The new embankments at the first three sites are well vegetated and provide a strong and stable replacement, with ‘inset’ floodplains and a range of sub-habitats, including native trees to create natural floodplain woodland habitat.
This project is supported by the SEPA Water Environment Fund
