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Three ponds were created in June 2023 as part of the Witham/ Slea Blue Green Corridor project
Please see their website for full details of the project
This was partnership project funded by the European Regional Development Fund, South Kesteven District Council, North Kesteven District Council, Environment Agency, and National Trust. It was designed to restore and reconnect the river and river corridors through the urban reaches of both Grantham and Sleaford.
The Grantham Part of the project included in channel works along the length of the River Witham as it passes all three parks in the town - Dysart Park (and the allotments down stream), Sedgwick Meadows (just below the weir), Wyndham Park (just down stream of the Red Cross Street bridge and adjacent to the Urban Gym) and into Queen Elizabeth Park where the berms are at various points between the Belton Lane Bridge and the small weir part way along the river.
In addition three ponds were created to complement the in channel works. More details below.
Species surveys carried out by FQEP To come: links to albums of pictures.
In June 2023 work began on creating three ephemeral ponds. These will differ from the other two existing ponds (the deep fishing pond - stocked by the Grantham Angling Association for membership fishing only, and the adjacent Conservation pond which was dug at the same time as the Fishing pond, but has never had any work done on it.
The Conservation pond is surrounded by willow trees and leaves, twigs & branches have been left where they fall. Consequently there has been a build up of silt and other debris and the pond now has a reputation of being a "stinky" pond because of the smell created when the silt levels are disturbed. Water levels do vary as it is shallow and fed by ground water. The sun does reach it in places and it is not an open pond, but it dries out in periods of hot dry weather.
The new ponds have been dug in the open grass land and although there are trees in the adjacent hedgerow and on the river bank , they do not cover the ponds with shade like the Conservation pond and will therefore be different.
The new ponds have also been planted with a variety of wetland/pond margin wildflowers.
Photos of the construction of the ponds 1
Photos of the construction of the ponds 2
Add links to wildflowers planted by Volunteers