The Wiltshire Rural Run-off Project (WRRoP) has officially moved into its delivery phase. Following a dedicated season of project development and over twenty comprehensive farm walkover surveys, physical conservation works began this December.

The core mission of this project is to identify strategic locations across the landscape where we can slow the flow of water. By smoothing surface flows, the Trust aims to significantly reduce flood risk for local communities while simultaneously providing a major boost to regional biodiversity.

Phase One: Teffont Magna

The first stage of delivery took place at Teffont Magna, part of a series of works designed to protect the village from major flooding issues. Our team installed four scrapes—shallow depressions in the pasture designed to capture and slowly release surface run-off.

The impact was immediate. As the first scrape began to fill, it successfully reduced the volume of water reaching the slopes further down. Monitoring of subsequent rainfall has confirmed that these features are acting in sequence, draining slowly and effectively just as designed. This work was made possible through funding from the Environment Agency and a Farming in Protected Landscapes grant.

Phase Two: Leaky Dams at Foxham

Moving to Foxham, the Water Team—joined by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust trainees—focused on a farm drain network. Despite some machinery challenges, the group successfully installed nine leaky dams.

These structures are a brilliant example of natural flood management:

• They allow low, base-level flows to pass through unimpeded.
• During heavy rainfall, they begin to hold water back as flows increase.
• This leaky design reduces flood peaks by increasing the time it takes for water to travel from the hills to urban areas.

Our trainees did an exceptional job, with the final structures noted as some of the highest-quality leaky dams installed to date.

We owe thanks to all the trainees that helped us, the Environment Agency, the WRRoP steering group and partners, as well as the Cranbourne Chase National Landscape. A special debt of gratitude is owed to all the landowners and farmers that have given permission to carry out surveys and then allowed us to install interventions on their land. Without their help the project would be meaningless.