We were delighted to be invited by Highbridge Conservation Group to see them removing the boards to divert water onto the meadows. This is another step in the restoration of this scientifically-important water meadow.
Water meadows are areas of land that used to be flooded deliberately, under carefully controlled conditions, the timing being at the discretion of the farmer or landowner. They have been described as “one of the greatest achievements of English agriculture” so it’s wonderful to see Highbridge Conservation Group helping to preserve the land for future generations.
Historic England explains that water meadows had three main purposes: to force early growth of grass in the Spring, to improve the quality of the grass sward and to increase the summer hay crop. Controlled flooding, known as “drowning”, moves water across the surface of the meadow.
As well as being important for wildlife and the historic environment, water meadows provide even wider environmental benefits. They can contain flood water, trap silt and help to reduce the nutrient load in water that is returned to rivers.
Find out more about Highbridge Community Group in this post. Steve Grundy from HCF photographed the work on the water meadows:
