Humber Estuary Claypits - NLHSC and Broadies WQ and Lake Restoration Investigation

Defra procuring on behalf of Natural England.

The project aims to focus on two former claypits: 1) North Lincolnshire & Humberside Sailing Club (NLHSC – unit 129) 26ha.

2) Broadies/Wildfowling pit (unit 126) 13ha Both are located in the former clay pits/lakes near Barton upon Humber, North Lincolnshire (known as the Humber clay pits), which are within the Humber Estuary SSSI/SPA/Ramsar site.

In common with the other former clay pits, when assessed against targets for standing open waters, these units are considered by Natural England to be in ‘unfavourable condition.’ Two specific species, spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum and Fennel-leaved pondweed Potamogeton pectinatus, have been found in recent condition assessments to have become more abundant throughout the clay pits and in some cases they are the only species present.

In Unit 129 they have become particularly dominant and are presenting a health and safety risk for the sailing club.

This project aims to look at the reasons for the dominance of these species, whether they are presenting a problem for other macrophytes and waterfowl, and to propose possible solutions for the Sailing Club which would not conflict with achieving favourable condition.