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The important flood defence role of Havergate Island
for the Alde and Ore Estuary.
Havergate Island. Photo credit: Mike Page
Back in December 2013, when the tidal surge hit Suffolk, the RSPB reserve Havergate Island, Suffolk's only island, was flooded by 1.5 million cubic metres of water when its sea walls overtopped. 

It is widely accepted that this flooding of the island saved land further up the estuary from a similar fate. The RSPB repaired the walls several years ago, choosing to make the walls slightly lower but to have a wider sloped profile. The lower walls allow for overtopping in high winter tides and this has several beneficial effects:
  • the lower wider wall allows a spillover without leading to damaging the walls
  • the lagoon behind fills quickly with overspill water, taking the pressure off the walls which prevents them from failing
  • by allowing the walls to overtop, flood relief is provided to the rest of the estuary by taking water out of the system before the surge goes up the river
These days, no-one lives on Havergate except for an abundance of wildlife since the island became an RSPB nature reserve in 1948.
On Orford Ness, the National Trust has completed similar works to Havergate Island, following localised breaching from the 2013 surge. At Stoney Ditch, the clay used for building the walls was taken from the Kings Marsh in such a way that further lagoons were created, providing habitats as well as another area of flood storage relief for the estuary.
Kings Marsh on Orford Ness. Photo credit: National Trust

Work carried out along the American wall also now provides both a flood defence wall to hold back the tidal water from the adjacent Upper Lantern Marsh. In the same way as Havergate Island, it also now acts as a spillway should very high surges come up the river, thus providing more flood relief space in the estuary.

 Spoonbill chicks taking flight for the first time in 300 years
on Havergate Island.
For the first time in Suffolk since 1681, the rare birds spoonbills, have successfully raised chicks.

Named after their spoon-shaped beak, spoonbills are a very rare breeding bird in the UK and recognised as a species of conservation concern. Before 1999, there had been no confirmed sightings in Suffolk since the 17th century, but these days up to 100 spoonbills visit the UK every year.

Aaron Howe, RSPB South Suffolk Sites Manager said they never gave up hope spoonbill fledglings would take that very special first flight from Havergate island once again.
 
Read more about this story here.
This beautiful photo taken by Suffolk photographer Gill Moon is of Boyton Dock, which can be found in the lower reaches of the Alde and Ore Estuary. Boyton is a small but perfectly formed wet grassland site, situated in a fantastically scenic location and from the river walls you can look across the water to Havergate Island and Orford Ness.
The outcome of the Upper Estuary Outline Business Case, which was submitted to the Environment Agency earlier this year, is anticipated later in the Autumn.
If you use social media, please do like/follow/share/ tweet our @SOSestuary posts and help spread the word. There are many people who love the estuary area but are not residents, and social media is a very effective way to reach many of them and encourage them to support the campaign too. The Facebook, Twitter and Instagram icons below will take you directly to our pages.
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The Alde and Ore Estuary Trust,
c/o Jenny Hill, 26 Lakeside Avenue,
Thorpeness, IP16 4NH

info@aoetrust.org

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The Alde & Ore Estuary Trust · c/o Georgie Wayman · The Crown & Castle, Market Hill · Orford, Suffolk IP12 2LJ · United Kingdom

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