Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has installed over 150 leaky dams along the River Peffery to help reduce flooding and protect local communities.

The dams, also known as large woody debris dams or leaky barriers, are part of FLS's support for the Peffery Restoration Project, funded by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund. The project aims to reduce flood risks and improve biodiversity in the River Peffery Catchment.

Local firm Lockett Agri-Environmental led the dam construction and oversaw the installation of a flood control valve in Blackmuir Pond, located in FLS’ Blackmuir Woods, to regulate water levels during flood events. FLS staff also conducted riparian planting in the river's upper tributaries.


"For many people, the vison of a leaky dam probably goes against the notion of a way to reduce flooding. But they work by diverting water onto the floodplain, slowing the flow and reducing the flood peak - especially during high flows," said Colin Leslie, FLS North Region Environment Advisor. "Leaky dams replicate the natural obstruction in rivers caused by falling trees and branches."

"The work FLS is doing is all linked with wider efforts of ecological restoration and natural flood management techniques going on across the catchment area as part of the River Peffery Restoration Project and is aimed at reducing flooding in Strathpeffer and Dingwall," Leslie added.

"Working at a catchment scale is essential if we want to reduce flood risk and improve biodiversity," said Hannah Humphreys of Lockett Agri-Environmental. "The work on FLS land is a really important part of the work in the wider Peffery catchment. Slowing the flow of water in the headwaters of the catchment is good, cost-effective way of helping reduce flood risk. The work at the Blackmuir site is especially exciting. Not only have we put in measures that reduce the risk of water running down the streets of Strathpeffer, we’ve also managed to enhance habitats for great crested newts which are a local conservation priority."