The Torne Catchment Partnership covers the River Torne and its tributaries as indicated on the map below, and is hosted by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The Torne catchment is located within the Isle of Axholme Operational Catchment, which at the wider scale is within the Idle and Torne Management Catchment. The Idle Catchment Partnership covers the River Idle and its tributaries, and this is hosted separately by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust. However, given that many priorities are the same within both the Torne and Idle catchments, the partnerships collaborate as much as possible.

Our CaBA partnership has been fully established since 2016. Our partnership is made up of environmental non-government organisations (eNGOs), local authorities, government agencies, landowners, farmers and their representatives, and local businesses. We work together to deliver a wide range of projects across the catchment to meet our vision and our key aims.

We hold quarterly meetings for partners to discuss issues affecting the catchment and collaborate on projects to work towards the shared vision. If you would like to get involved, please contact the email above.

Our vision

The vision for the catchment is set out below:

The River Torne, its tributaries and the wider catchment are healthy and resilient, supporting both people and biodiversity, through sustainable land management, conservation and enhancement of regionally-important habitats and species, and promotion of naturally-functioning, diverse and well-connected habitats.

Our key aims

1. Improved water quality
2. Connected and good quality habitats
3. Natural function
4. Improved resilience to climate change
5. Community benefits

For more information, see the refreshed Torne Catchment Management Plan here: https://catchmentbasedapproach.org/learn/catchment-management-plans/

Where: St Catherine’s Well Stream from Source to Torne catchment

National Grid Reference: SK 56612 99013

Led by: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Funded by: Environment Agency, Doncaster Council

What: This project aims to identify and implement interventions that improve flood risk resilience, watercourse function, habitat diversity and water quality within the ‘St Catherine’s Well Stream from Source to Torne’ catchment, a tributary of the River Torne. It will comprise multiple projects within it to improve management and carry out interventions to meet the Partnership’s Visons and Aims.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change.

So far, YWT has been working on a project within the catchment which aims to introduce meanders to the stream, reconnect the floodplain and create scrapes which will help increase flood storage capacity, improve habitat and water quality.

YWT have also been having concept designs drawn for another potential intervention further downstream which looks at addressing erosion issues along St Catherine’s Well, improving the river morphological diversity and floodplain connection, again enhancing habitats for a range of species.

An Environment Agency team has already helped us with a Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) bashing day to remove this Invasive species from the banks of the stream to allow native riparian and wetland species to thrive.

There are other projects in the pipeline for this catchment which are also in early stages – watch this space for details!

Where: St Catherine’s Well Stream from Source to Torne catchment

National Grid Reference: SK 54959 99265

Led by: Doncaster Council

What: This project aimed to identify areas most suitable for Natural Flood Management (NFM) in Doncaster, including within the St Catherine’s Well catchment, to help inform a pipeline of potential works to carry forward. The project included opportunity mapping and modelling, site visits to look at flow pathways, and collaborative discussions with local interested parties, resulting in a list of projects and locations which could be taken forward.

The outputs from this project will be used to inform the Council’s future Natural Flood Management (NFM) project pipeline. As part of the work, catchments across the borough have been assessed and ranked based on their NFM potential and the benefits that could be achieved through the delivery of NFM measures.

Recent changes to the Environment Agency’s approach to funding NFM projects have highlighted the importance of identifying and prioritising opportunities that offer the greatest potential benefits. This project will help ensure that Doncaster is well positioned to secure future funding and that investment is directed towards the areas where it can deliver the greatest impact.

The project will also support and encourage partnership working by providing a shared evidence base to help identify, develop, and deliver NFM projects across the borough.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change.

Where: Isle of Axholme Operational Catchment (Torne catchment)

Led by: Natural England – Catchment Sensitive Farming

Funded by: Defra

What: Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Advisors work with farmers and land managers to produce food in a sustainable manner whilst reducing the impacts of agriculture on the environment.  Through 1-2-1 visits, events and site meetings, CSF help land managers make informed decisions and access funding to develop sustainable farming practices which maximise efficiencies. In turn reducing waste and losses to the environment, improving soil health, creating habitats and buffering watercourses.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

Please see this link for more information: https://www.farmingadviceservice.org.uk/csf

Where: Torne catchment

Led by: Partnership working

What: This project includes a range of events and engagement with farmers and land managers to educate them on water use efficiency to improve their resilience, share water resources sustainably and reduce impact on the environment, setting up a Water Abstractor Group to help collaboration and cooperation between land managers to encourage sustainable use of water.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

Where: Tickhill and South Ring

National Grid Reference: SK607953 & SE675035

Led by: Doncaster East Internal Drainage Board

What:  Middle Drain (Tickhill) and South Ring (near Hatfield) catchments sit within high-grade arable land which is drained through a pumped system, outfalling into the River Torne. During recent storm events, the pumped system has become overwhelmed due to the high outfall levels and some overtopping from the River Torne. Insufficient storage in the catchments has resulted in flooding of farmland and encroachment to isolated properties.

These projects aim to increase the storage capacity, maintainability and improve the wetted habitat available within the channels. It will also improve managing the balancing of flows between pumping stations.

The Environmental Team have been responsible for carrying out Protected Species surveys along these stretches, largely looking out for water vole and badger and recommending any mitigation that may be required.

A desktop search of Environmental Impacts revealed a small portion of the works would be required on the southern edge of Hatfield Moors SSSI, this required liaising with Natural England and producing a Habitat Regulations Assessment to ensure no damage to the SSSI would occur. The searches also found the Tickhill works are within close proximity to the Stancil Roman Villa, a scheduled monument, they have liaised with Historic England and provided an archaeological watching brief.

Whilst undertaking the surveys on the ground they came across frequent Invasive Non-Native Species such as American mink (Neovison vison) signs; Himalayan balsam at a water treatment works outfall in Tickhill; and water fern (Azolla filiculoides) within ditches near the South Ring, all logged and shared on our GIS and reported to Local Record Centres.

The banks have been hydroseeded with a species mix which will improve the habitat for pollinators and increase bank stability.

Aims: To reduce the risk of flooding within the catchments by improving water flow and storage via the IDB Storm Recovery Fund. Further understand, protect and where feasible, enhance the local biodiversity.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change.

Where: Torne catchment

Led by: Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency respectively

What: The Internal Drainage Board (IDB) covering the Torne catchment and Environment Agency are responsible for maintaining and enhancing their respective watercourses and drainage channels within the catchment, ensuring it remains safe and accessible for users of the water, while maintaining and protecting habitats for wildlife. They are also working to improve resilience of the catchment to flood events, with recent IDB work taking place at the Tickhill Middle Drain area with installation of leaky barriers and bank reprofiling, and Hatfield Moor South Ring Drain.

The IDB also conduct ecological surveys in advance of these works and produce abundant records of protected and priority species, and Invasive Non-native Species which need treating. These works contribute to a safe, useful and biodiverse catchment. They carry habitat creation and enhancement works for protection species living in the catchment like water vole.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

Where: Intake and Tickhill, Doncaster

Led by: Doncaster Council

What: This phased project comprises the retrofitting of SuDS in Intake, Doncaster, to manage surface water and allow it to infiltrate and be stored, aiming to reduce flood risk to properties while creating habitats with amenity value. The project also works with schools to install SuDS and educate children about water issues. SuDS installed include attenuation ponds, rain gardens and permeable paving. Another SuDS project is also proposed at schools in Tickhill, Doncaster, to address the flood risk from Paper Mill Dyke, with the aim to also add new schools each year.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

Where: Torne catchment

Led by: Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent in their respective areas

What: Water companies in the area are undertaking a series of measures to improve water quality and address issues affecting the catchment, which include: responding to pollution incidents and helping to investigate sources; undertaking catchment walkovers to identify any issues affecting groundwater and investing in assets to improve efficiency of water treatment and clean water provision.

The Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) aims to reduce phosphorous inputs, improve stormwater overflow systems, increased monitoring of overflows reduction in abstraction licenses and improving passage for fish between 2025-2030. This AMP includes funding for the investigation of nitrates and pesticides in groundwater, and for events to raise awareness about safe use of pesticides and precision agriculture, and funds to deliver works. The previous AMP7 focussed on engagement and awareness raising only.

Severn Trent also have river rangers checking outfalls to allow the company to react to issues more quickly.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change.

Where: Torne catchment

Led by: Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent in their respective areas

Where: Humberhead Levels lowland peat including Thorne and Hatfield Moor SACs & SSSIs

National Grid Reference: SE 72874 16840 and SE 70349 05737

Led by: Humberhead Levels Partnership encompassing YWT, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Environment Agency, Local Authorities

Funded by: Nature For Climate (NFC) restoration grant

What: Since 2022, YWT have been received NFC funding which includes a discovery phase to gather baseline information about the site and engage stakeholders, followed by a restoration phase to restore lowland peatland in the Humberhead Levels region including internationally important Thorne and Hatfield Moors. They are sites with complex histories and water systems, meaning that the restoration conducted on them includes a range of solutions.

Work that has taken place on Humberhead Levels peatlands until 2026 includes:

• Installation of seven adjustable sluices, retrofit of a tilting weir on a steel pile dam and a variety of bunding and ditch-works to improve the hydrology on areas of the moor that are too wet to allow them to recover and revegetate.
• Packard’s Heath – creating dams on ditches and deep-trench contour bunding to store water, helping the peat to recover.
• Manor Farm (part of Greater Potteric Carr) dams to retain water and restore peat.
• Removal of trees and installation of wooden dams to wet up and area of fen on the outskirts of the Potteric mosaic.
• Installation of adjustable sluices culvert and ditch-works conduced on the west of Thorne to adjust water levels to allow area to revegetate.
• Rhododendron flailing and contour bunding on Thorne Moors.
• Lowering moor bank triangle tilting weir at Hatfield Moor to manage water levels.
• Work at Lindholme/Ash Dump/Green Mile on Hatfield Moor.
• Sphagnum planting on Hatfield Moor.
• New cattle handling system at Potteric Carr Nature Reserve to facilitate conservation grazing.
• Tree clearance on Misson Training Grounds – 11ha of tree removal has been completed to restore peat soils. Other interventions are planned to include the repairing of water control structures and increasing the grazing capacity in order to manage regrowth.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

To support our work on lowland peat and other important habitats, YWT have a roving Humberhead Levels volunteer group which undertake a range of invaluable work. YWT aims to continue to work on these important sites to restore and buffer them so they continue to provide the ecosystem services and support biodiversity into the future.

Where: Nature reserves across the catchment

National Grid Reference: SK 59872 99767

Led by: YWT

What: YWT manages nature reserves across the Torne catchment including one of its flagship reserves, Potteric Carr Nature Reserve in Doncaster which contains a mosaic of wetland habitats and supports rare species like bittern and marsh harrier. YWT staff and volunteers maintain and enhance the range of habitats on their reserves which mean they can support biodiversity, while boosting the region’s climate change and flood risk resilience and improve water quality by maintaining reedbeds which help filter out pollutants.

Benefits: Improved water quality, Connected and good quality habitats, Natural function, Improved resilience to climate change, Community benefits

What: A large scale engagement project within the Torne Catchment educating and engaging local primary and secondary schools about the Torne’s heritage and the water environment. Additionally retrofitting six SuDS schemes within schools involving school children whilst providing a green learning environment and flood and water quality benefits.

“Last we went pond dipping and back to the education centre, it was a lot of fun.” Blake – Wroot Travis Primary School.

Where: (site, catchment, river basin): Sites included Potteric Carr Nature Reserve, Grange Lane Primary School, Tornedale Infants, Wroot Travis Primary School, Hungerhill Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, Tickhill Primary School, Maltby Redwood Academy.

Outcomes:

• 225 adults engaged through community talks and presentations to groups such as Tickhill horticultural society, Doncaster Naturalists and Doncaster Rotary club.
• 1537 school children engaged in the water cycle, their local river, and the wildlife reliant on it.
• 856 volunteer hours from family and friends of schools involved, National Citizen Service and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust volunteers.
• Six SuDS delivered SuDS with 12 interventions at schools within the catchment e.g. formal raised planters, sunken rain gardens, water butts, woodland planting and ponds.
• Improved water quality and flood resilience within the catchment.
• Increased awareness of the heritage of the Torne, past and present.

What: The project restored 2ha of wet woodland to flow from the surrounding drainage and create an offline wetland scrape capable of storing river water during high flow and creating a significant area of wetland habitat in the process.

“You have done a great job with Snipe Bog – it should develop into an excellent habitat. I do hope you can manage something like it near the A1 (M).”  Tony Sheridan – Tickhill Countryside Group.

Where: Papermill Dyke GB104028058370

Outcomes:

• 83 volunteer hours realised.
• 2ha of wetwood reconnected to a local stream.
• An 0.6ha offline scrape was created, designed to take flow from the river during heavy rainfall events and create a significant wetland habitat in the area.
• Woodland coppicing of old willow and birch stands to add to the age structure of the woodland and the creation of standing deadwood to benefit the rapidly declining willow tit recorded at adjacent sites.

Funded by: The Environment Agency

What: Partnership project with multiple outcomes including restoration of 46.5ha of wet woodland, natural flood risk benefits, education and community engagement.

‘That’s the first time in over forty years that piece of woodland has had any water in it.’ (Local resident referring to Sandall Beat SSSI)

Where: Sites include Sandall Beat SSSI; Holme Carr Wood; Bog Wood; Tickhill Low Common; Bessacarr Bank; Piper Marsh SSSI; and Rossington Brick Pond.

What: The iWAIT project built on work delivered by Torne Catchment Partnership reconnecting up to 2000m³ of floodplain storage at Sandall Beat SSSI in Doncaster in 2015/16. Delivering multiple benefits including restoration of 2ha of wet woodland, water quality improvements, engagement with local communities and volunteer groups, education around water issues with schoolchildren.

By targeting natural flood risk management techniques and providing additional flood storage in the upstream part of the catchment we were able to help attenuate both peak and flood flows from rainfall events, providing dual benefits. Firstly, by reducing the risk of flood risk to property and agricultural land within the catchment by making more space for water.  Secondly, by reducing both the financial and carbon cost of pumping water from the Torne catchment into the River Trent.

Using desk top analysis (including reviewing LIDAR data), the project objective is to deliver a minimum of 46.5ha of wet woodland recreation or restoration that delivers over 4,000m3 of additional flood storage capacity.

Outcomes:

• 5ha Priority habitat created.
• 4,078m³ flood storage volume realised.
• Seven schools engaged.
• 600 pupils engaged with the project.
• Three SuDS schemes retrofitted.
• Five community groups supported.
• 1200 volunteer hours realised.
• Natural Flood Management Regional Conference delivered.
• Two SSSI’s improved.

Funded by: The Environment Agency

Reducing diffuse pollution in Papermill Dyke

“I was impressed by the level of support from farmers locally giving up some of their own time and effort to contribute to the works improving the condition of the stream.” – Jamie McEwan Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Where: Stainton, Doncaster

National Grid Reference: SK 59154 92329, SK 55866 93631

What: This project aimed to address rural diffuse pollution within the papermill dyke. Priority sites were identified by the Sandbeck Estate Scoping report and aimed to deliver a suite of works aimed at improving water quality at target sites.

This involved working with the Sandbeck Estate and tenant farmers to help improve farming practices and deliver small scale habitat creation interventions on their land including fencing to protect riverbanks from poaching by livestock and allow more sensitive management of habitats.

Example of river bank protection from livestock wit fencing

One year after fencing and an increase in native flora

Outputs:

• Worked with Sandbeck Estate and two tenant farmers.
• Carried out 400m of river habitat restoration.
• 16ha of wet woodland created – 60 trees planted
• 580m of fencing installed.
• One limestone spring flush restored.
• 75ha of floodplain fen restored.
• 150m of native species hedge planted.

Benefits:

• Improved farming practices.
• Improved community interest.
• Reduced livestock poaching, sediment and chemical inputs.
• Habitat improvements for wildlife.

Funded by: The Environment Agency

Rewetting Sandall Beat Wood

“So nice to see Sandall beat wood looking like it used to all those years ago, brings back great memories for so many locals and a big thank you to all the volunteers. Now it’s the public’s turn to keep the woods clean and report people who litter and damage this lovely nature reserve.” – Adrian Barker (woodland user)

Where: Intake, Doncaster

National Grid Reference: SE 61489 03261

What: A report commissioned by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council analysed water levels in the drains of Sandall Beat and Cantley Park. Except for the two main drainage channels none of the drains were found to have any water present at any time. This has an impact on the sites Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status. Water quality issues were also noted, with road and roof drainage discharged at the pumping station at the head of Fore’s Drain likely to be the cause. The report indicated that cross connection of domestic wastewater into roof gulleys could account for some of the water quality issues.

Urban diffuse pollution at Sandall Beat and Cantley Park was targeted by improving water flow and creating new wetland habitat to the benefit of water quality in Fores drain. The project engaged local communities, highlighting urban diffuse pollution issues and solutions, through a volunteer survey programme and an interpretation project delivered by local schools.

Outcomes:

• Restoration of 2ha of SSSI wet woodland.
• 150m of stream habitat improvements on Fores drain.
• 110m of pre-planted coir rolls.
• 22 volunteers were engaged.
• Totalling 201 hours of volunteering time.
• The project engaged with 71 schools children from three classes.

Benefits:

• This has enthused local members of the public in an urban SSSI, encouraged volunteering and a sense of ownership in the woodland at Sandall Beat Woodland.
• Improved water quality.
• Creation of ~718m³ of flood storage.
• 2ha of SSSI habitat improved.

Funded by: The Environment Agency

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

The Environment Agency

City of Doncaster Council

Yorkshire Water

Severn Trent Water

Natural England

Local landowners and farmers

Doncaster East Internal Drainage Board

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

Waterlife Recovery Trust

Trent Rivers Trust

Bridon Bekaert

Forestry Commission

Wroot Water

Mining Remediation Authority

Yorkshire Wildlife Park