The effect of river channel management on species and habitat diversity on the River Wyre

Abstract

The effects that dams have on rivers have been investigated for many years.
These effects include reduction of habitats and species downstream due to collection
of sediment, and also affecting the migratory patterns of fish. However there has been
very little research done into the effects of non-permanent dams, such as the one that
is in Garstang, Lancashire. This flood control gate was constructed as a part of the
River Wyre’s flood alleviation scheme, and it can be raised and lowered when
required. The purpose of this study is to discover whether this flood control gate is
having an effect on the habitat and species of the river immediately downstream. This
was done by investigating two sites along the river, one just before the flood control
gate and one afterwards. The types and area of the habitats, as well as the species and
their populations were measured at each site. Statistical analysis was used to discover
if there was any significant difference between the two sites. It was found that there
was significance between some of the species, and also the area of the habitats, which
could be attributed to the presence of the flood control gate.