Farmland spiling

Kirkby Malham, North Yorkshire

 

The small meandering Kirkby Beck is threatening to carry away soil as it runs through farmland at Kirkby Malham. Below, on the outside of a bend where the stream runs into a soft vertical bank, a work-force from Forest of Bradford and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust are placing stakes which will hold protective spiling in place.

On the outside of the bend, the scoop eroded by the current can be clearly seen here while the inside of the bend is gathering shingle.


Further upstream, the spiling protection to the outside of another bend has been completed. The stretch of river has been fenced off to prevent stock from grazing on the spiling once young shoots appear.



Below, intricate weaving of the finished spiling's leading edge, which is a part prone to back-cutting by the action of the river.