Background Information
Newells Pond is a private, 4-acre mixed coarse and Carp fishery located in Horsham, West Sussex. Fed by a small stream and with an outfall at the dam wall, the pond had accumulated a significant volume of silt over several years due to runoff from surrounding agricultural land and the inlet stream. The resulting sedimentation had drastically reduced water depth, compromised water quality, and impacted the health of the aquatic ecosystem. The landowner engaged Aquamaintain Ltd to undertake a comprehensive desilting, fishery and habitat restoration programme to improve the pond’s ecological function and secure its long-term use as a productive coarse fishery.
Scope of the Project
The works at Newells Pond included the following: Partial dewatering of the pond and temporary relocation of fish stock. Mechanical excavation of silt using a 22-tonne tracked excavator. Material transport using 22-tonne tracked dumpers to an adjacent farmers field. Creation of a new island using bunded silt retained within a clay perimeter. Installation of Nicospan revetments to stabilise banks and retain dredged material. Reintroduction of fish stocks and supplementary fish stocking post-restoration. Aquatic planting to encourage natural regeneration and enhance biodiversity.
Our Solution
The restoration programme began with a partial drawdown of the lake to expose silt deposits and allow for safe excavation. Fish were netted and held in temporary holding ponds to protect them during works. Using a 22-tonne excavator, large volumes of silt were carefully dug out from the lakebed. Most of the material was transported using 22-tonne tracked dumpers to a designated bunded area on the adjacent field, while a portion was used to form an island within the lake using engineered clay bunds.
To further stabilise the site and prevent future erosion, nicospan revetments were installed along key sections of the bank. These also acted as retention barriers for relocated silt, forming marginal wetland shelves to enhance habitat complexity.
Once the excavation was complete, the lake was refilled naturally, and fish were reintroduced. Marginal aquatic plants were installed around the newly formed island and along restored margins to encourage ecological recovery.
New fishing pegs were constructed using log pile revetments backfilled with aggregate and topped with woodchip.
All works were carried out using best practice environmental controls, with minimal disruption to surrounding land and sensitive timings to protect aquatic species.
