6.0
Construction
6.1
Intake Reed Beds
The view
from the hill shows the early construction of the undulating retaining
walls.
The next
step was to add a level layer of sand, which in turn formed a
soft base for laying on the butyl rubber. All four of the 250m2
compartments were independent of one another.
The newly
planted reed bed showing the black pipes (made from recycled material)
used for spraying the river water evenly over the surface of the
gravel.
6.2
Outdoor Breeding Ponds
Breeding terrace
showing the small, approximately five square metre ponds. They
were lined by recycling the existing plastic liner previously
used for holding the reed stock prior to replanting in the intake
reedbed.
The timber
used as boundary were ex-coal mine props recovered from a nearby
colliery.
The stone
was picked from the large amount of limestone donated from Cadeby
quarry.
6.3
Hatchery & Aquatic Ecology Centre
6.3.1 Barrel tanks
Recycled
barrels originally used for holding shoe polish. After cleaning
they were laid on their side in a wooden rack with the upper section
cut out. Finally, taps were inserted in the base where the flowing
water discharged into a common gutter.
6.3.2 Suspended water bags & Bottle tanks
This innovative
design considered the use of 4 ply butyl rubber stitched and suspended
on a steel scaffolding frame. The main advantage of the bags was
their ease of assembling and transport.
In the background
can be seen the 'bottle tanks' which were empty wine bottles siliconed
together on to a plate glass base.
6.3.3 Sleeper & Bath tanks
In the foreground
are the 'sleeper tanks', effectively, ex-railway sleepers providing
a wooden frame with the inner lined with rubber.
A research
initiative in partnership with Hull International Fisheries Institute
saw the continuation of the theme of recycling by the use of old
baths included in the system below. This was part of the analysis
of watercress and other aquatic water plants as a filtration mechanism
for Tilapia culture.
6.3.4
Aquatic Ecology Centre
Front view
of the centre that also incorporated a working hatchery
Roughly a
third of the building was dedicated to demonstrating freshwater
ecology with a laboratory for children to identify pond life.
Local schools
helped to compile educational materials for visiting children.
The exhibit above illustrates the different species of freshwater
fish cultured in the hatchery and that are present in the local
rivers.
(n.b. It also worthwhile noting that the glass for the aquariums
was reused from an office block refurbishment in a neighbouring
town)
View into
the Aquatic Ecology Centre
6.4
Nursery Ponds
Nursery Pond
Construction
The outline
shape of the pond is achieved first by the use of mechanised machinery.
Laying the
carpet of bentonite panels requires an overlap of 10cms per roll.
Following completion of the the liner, a 10cm layer of subsoil
formed
a protective buffer zone between the final topping of limestone
chippings.
The trench around the top of the pond is used to anchor the liner.
The bezinal
coated gabion baskets being erected and placed on a bed of concrete
above the bentonite/subsoil base
The final
pond to be completed was on 15 September 1994 volunteers worked
together simultaneously laying benonite and installing and filling
gabion baskets with stone and broken bricks. The open section
of the wooden monk can be seen in the foreground
The completed
'dry' pond illustrating the internal gabion filled structure.
The section between the gabion wall and the outer pond bund was
infilled with subsoil and planted with marginal plants
The completed
wooden monk or wooden sluice was constructed by trainees from
a 'sustainably managed' source of oak, to a historical design
undertaken by European Monasteries (monks - hence the name).
6.5
Outlet Reed Bed
The outlet
reed bed initially comprised of a 20 cm deep scrape which was
lined with donated plastic film and utilised as a holding area
in preparation for the transfer of reeds.
(n.b. the liner was later reused for the breeding ponds)
The Local
Drainage Authority informed the Earth Centre of a large amount
of reeds freely available, due to drainage maintenance being undertaken
at Scunthorpe. The reeds were excavated and transported to the
holding ponds.
Transferring the plants to the intake reedbed system. On the upper
right of the picture is a small stand of common reeds (Phragmites),
which were temporary fenced before earthmoving began.
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