01 July 2025
Work Starts in Ennerdale
This summer we’re taking action to restore the River Liza in Ennerdale. While the majority of the river is wild and unrestricted, the final stretch as it enters Ennerdale Water has been historically straightened and simplified.
Our Riverlands rangers will be introducing varied natural features into the final downstream reach of the river, including lowering some sections of embankment and including riffles, pools and dead wood. Reinstating these features will create ideal environments for a range of animals and plants to thrive and encourage water to spread out across the delta so a diverse wetland habitat can develop, providing resilience for the lakeshore Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) plant communities.
We’ve worked closely with the Wild Ennerdale Partnership, the Environment Agency, Natural England, Forestry England and specialist archaeologists to develop an approach which allows the work to take place whilst protecting the existing habitats and landscape.
The construction will be taking place throughout July and August. Plans are in place to minimise disruption to our neighbours and the footpath network, but there will be machinery across the area so please follow the instructions on any safety signs if you’re visiting the valley.
Our thanks to the Wild Ennerdale Partnership and the Environment Agency for funding this project.
