Chalk streams are a rare and valuable habitat, often referred to as the equivalent of England’s rainforests.

Since 2020 the Environment Agency has been working in partnership with Norfolk Rivers Trust to improve an internationally important chalk stream, the River Wensum.

Works taking place in Foulsham and Pudding Norton on 2 tributaries of the river has improved water quantity and quality. This was done by restoring the rivers flow to be more natural and improving the physical quality of the local habitat.

The works involved re-instating natural processes by creating a new shallow meandering channel and reconnecting the river with the surrounding floodplain. The interventions are nature-based solutions and help reduce run-off. They also hold water on the sites for longer to reduce flood risk, and help aquifers to recharge. Aquifers are where we get our drinking water.