Delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency, the River Dove Natural Flood Management (NFM) project aims to reduce flood risk to 25 of the worst-affected properties in the settlements of Kirkby Mills and Keldholme, during 1 in 10 and 1 in 30-year scale flood events.
A large floodplain reconnection site has now been completed in 2025, with a further two sites having had feasibility studies carried out and completion planned in early 2026.
The 22-hectare floodplain reconnection site, part-funded by Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL), was seeded with a species-rich meadow mix in summer 2025 to help create a healthier soil structure. This means the site will be able to absorb, hold and release water slowly, and this combined with the introduction of native grazing cattle will create a more tussocky uneven surface that will slow down the surface water and reduce risk of erosion.
Modelling showed 22,200m³ of floodwater could be stored on site after completion, an increase of 15,000m³ on the previous capacity before the work was carried out.
During storm Darragh in December 2024, the reconnection proved successful, filling up and slowly releasing the water as the modelling indicated. As the site matures, it will become a haven for wildlife while helping to reduce the peak in flood events; records of breeding curlew and lapwing have already been made in 2025.
Project staff will continue working closely with the landowner, Natural England and project partners to seek long term agreements to secure the future of the site for flood alleviation, while maintaining a productive farming business. It is hoped that this land will enter into a new higher tier Countryside Stewardship 10-year agreement in due course, paying the farmer for the public benefit of flood risk reduction.
During 2024/25. YDCP staff engaged with landowners in the upper reaches of the catchment to identify and agree natural flood management measures to be delivered in following months. These include numerous flood storage scrapes, nearly 2km of hedgerow creation, numerous leaky dams and smaller scale floodplain reconnections.
Project officers are currently working with farmers and landowners to deliver over 300 hectares of soil aeration in the upper catchment. Aeration aids water infiltration in the landscape, slowing the flow of water to the river, and has economic benefits to land managers in reduced over winter housing costs for livestock, higher grass yields and improved soil health.
The team have been working closely with stakeholders to support all areas of the project, including the North York Moors National Park’s woodland creation and peatland officers, the Environment Agency’s agricultural lead advisors and Natural England’s Catchment Sensitive Farming advisors. The project aims to complete and deliver its targets by Spring 2026.