Hinging trees along the river at Damems

People walking by the river at Damems recently may have noticed some riverside trees have been felled and left in the river. What’s that all about!? It’s part of the River Worth Improvement Project (RWIP) and is intended to improve the in-river ecology. Here Sam Riley-Gunn of the Aire Rivers Trust and project leader for the RWIP explains what it’s all about. Read on….

From the start of the industrial revolution, we have changed the shape of the River Worth from its natural irregular path to a high sided, straight, fast flowing channel. This has had an impact on the ecology of the river, making it less attractive to wildlife. One of the aims of the RWIP was to enhance the river environment for wildlife.

​At the Damems Nature Reserves, Aire Rivers Trust and the Wild Trout Trust have been introducing tree kickers to the River Worth. These are trees that have been felled into the river channel and securely anchored to the riverbank with steel cables. The aim is to mimic the natural presence of large woody matter that historically would have naturally fallen into the river. Though simple in design, these structures bring profound benefits to the river, its wildlife, and the surrounding community. They will restore natural river processes by breaking up the monotony of the artificial fast, straight, flows. 

Securing the felled trunk to the stump.

Felled kicker fully secured.

Winching the kicker into position facing downstream.

Completed kicker in position facing down stream.

Hover over image to read caption.
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As water moves around and through the submerged branches, it slows in some areas and accelerates in others, creating pools, riffles, and eddies that reshape the riverbed. Sediment begins to settle in calmer zones, while gravel is scoured clean in faster currents. This is important on the Worth as its fast straightened flow limits the build-up of clean gravel beds that are vital spawning grounds for fish such at brown trout.
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The ecological impact of the kickers is striking. Fish such as trout and minnows will find refuge in the shaded pools created by the kickers, while invertebrates will colonise the woody surfaces and new gravel bars thus forming the foundation of the food chain. Birds like kingfishers benefit from the increase in fish populations and use the protruding branches as hunting perches. Aquatic plants take hold in the quieter margins, stabilising the banks and offering shelter to wildlife. As the wood gradually decays, it continues to enrich the ecosystem, feeding fungi, insects, and plants. In a short time, the river will become more alive, with each species contributing to a richer web of biodiversity. Beyond habitat creation, tree kickers also play a role in natural flood management. By disrupting the speed of water during heavy rainfall, they reduce the risk of downstream flooding. The structures encourage water to spill into the floodplain, storing excess flow safely rather than rushing unchecked through the channel. ​ In an era of climate change, where extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, this kind of low-cost,  

A kicker created downstream about 18 months ago, note the gravel bar forming downstream of the tree.

nature-based solution is invaluable. It works with the river’s own processes rather than against them, offering resilience without the need for expensive concrete engineering.

The benefits extend to people as well as wildlife. Damems Nature Reserve is already a cherished green space, and the revitalised river enhances its appeal. Visitors can witness the transformation firsthand, spotting darting fish, flourishing plants, and the possible electric blue and orange flash of a kingfisher along the water’s edge.
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The project also strengthens the River Worth Friends and Aire Rivers Trust’s wider mission to restore the Aire and Worth catchments. With the tree kickers marking the completion of the first phase of work to restore the Damems Nature Reserves. Future works are planned with Bradford and Keighley Town Council to introduce wildflower meadows, create fruit and flower rich riverside woodlands alongside an ambition to restore a large wetland on the Bradford Council owned section of the site. ​