The Fobney Island Project was an EA partnership involving a wide range of other groups including: Thames Water Authority, Reading Borough Council and the Thames Rivers Restoration Trust.
A major element of the scheme, on the River Kennet close to Reading town centre, was to reverse the impacts of historic land raising and dredging of the river. This was achieved by lowering the floodplain (by as much as 1.5m in places) and by creating flood storage and wetland features and embankments were partially removed to allow the river to flow onto the floodplain more regularly.
The river restoration works improved the River Kennet as it runs through the site by introducing new river gravels to the channel to create ‘riffles’. Gravel riffles provide the perfect breeding ground for fish, as well as an ideal habitat for invertebrate life to thrive. These are essential for fish spawning, in particular for chub, dace and barbel which lay their eggs in the gravel beds. Emerging fish fry find shelter amongst the gravel during early stages of their development.
A new backwater has also been created as part of the project to provide vital refuge habitat for young fish and Del Shackleford, Reading and District Angling Association’s Fishery Officer, can be seen on the video waxing lyrical on juvenile fish habitat!
