62-598: Witham First District IDB is an English internal drainage board which was set up under the terms of the Land Drainage Act 1930 . The Board inherited the responsibilities of the Witham General Drainage Commissioners, who were first constituted by an Act of Parliament of 1762. They manage the land drainage of an area to the west of the River Witham , between Lincoln and Dogdyke , which includes
124-554: A drainage district are deemed to derive benefit from the activities of an IDB. Every property is therefore subject to a drainage rate paid annually to the IDB. For the purposes of rating, properties are divided into: Occupiers of all "other land" pay Council Tax or non-domestic rates to the local authority who then are charged by the board. This charge is called the "Special Levy". The board, therefore, only demands drainage rates direct on agricultural land and buildings. The basis of this
186-650: A recent publication by the Association of Drainage Authorities identified that 53% of the installed capacity (potential maximum power output) of major power stations in England and Wales are located within an IDB. Although of much reduced significance since the 1980s, many IDB districts in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire lie in areas of coal reserves and drainage has been significantly affected by subsidence from mining. IDBs have played an important role in monitoring and mitigating
248-425: A scoop wheel . By 1913, this had been replaced by a steam engine driving a pump made by Smithdale, which was itself replaced by a 100 hp (75 kW) oil engine and a Gwynnes Limited pump between 1933 and 1943. Two electric motors with 24-inch (61 cm) Gwynnes pumps replaced them in 1952, located at a different site, and in 1990, a submersible electric pump was installed at a third site. An Act to enclose
310-655: A 24-hour contact number and most extend office hours during severe emergencies. Associated with the powers to regulate activities that may impede drainage, IDBs provide comments to local planning authorities on developments in their district and when asked, make recommendations on measures required to manage flood risk and to provide adequate drainage. Internal drainage boards in England have responsibilities associated with 398 Sites of Special Scientific Interest plus other designated environmental areas, in coordination with Natural England . Slow flowing drainage channels such as those managed by IDBs can form an important habitat for
372-827: A diverse community of aquatic and emergent plants, invertebrates and higher organisms. IDB channels form one of the last refuges in the UK of the BAP registered spined loach (Cobitis Taenia), a small nocturnal bottom-feeding fish that have been recorded only in the lower parts of the Trent and Great Ouse catchments, and in some small rivers and drains in Lincolnshire and East Anglia. All IDBs are currently engaging with their own individual biodiversity action plans which will further enhance their environmental role. Many IDBs are involved with assisting major wetland biodiversity projects with organisations such as
434-681: A higher level, the IDB may make an application to the Environment Agency for a contribution towards the expenses of dealing with that water. District drainage commissioners (DDCs) are internal drainage boards set up under local legislation rather than the Land Drainage Act 1991 and its predecessor legislation. The majority of the provisions of the Land Drainage Acts, do however, apply to such commissioners and they are statutory public bodies. The most important in terms of size and revenue
496-559: A model complaints procedure for IDBs to operate. This move was aimed to increase the accountability of IDBs to the general public who have an interest in the way that IDBs are run and operate by providing an independent means of review. At this time Defra also revised and re-issued model statutory rules and procedures under which IDBs operate. There are 112 internal drainage boards in England as of 2018 covering 1.2 million hectares (9.7% of England's total land area) and areas around The Wash ,
558-618: A much smaller area of 5,176 acres (2,095 ha) between Billinghay Skirth and Kyme Eau, the lower part of the River Slea . It became part of the First District in 1953. There were initially 23 commissioners for the district, one elected by each of the eighteen parishes which formed the First District, and another five from parishes in the Fifth District. Each district also elected some of the 31 General Drainage Commissioners. Seven came from
620-531: A multitude of land functions. As with any engineered structure it must be maintained in order to function at or near its design capacity. Annual or bi-annual vegetation clearance and periodic de-silting (dredging) of these rivers and watercourses is therefore an essential component of the whole life cycle of these watercourses. Accommodating sustainability within the design and maintenance process for lowland rivers and watercourses has to address three essential elements: Many IDBs are redesigning watercourses to create
682-478: A two-stage or bermed channel. These have been extensively created in the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board area of East Lincolnshire to accommodate the three elements of lowland watercourse sustainability. [REDACTED] Berms are created at or near to the normal retained water level in the system. It is sometimes replanted with vegetation removed from the watercourse prior to improvement works but
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#1732872692919744-617: Is 94 miles (151 km), and they are restrained by 125 miles (201 km) of banks. The area managed by the First District IDB lies to the east of the Lincoln Edge , a limestone escarpment which is a prominent feature of Lincolnshire. Several small streams are fed by springs on its dip slope, and the Car Dyke intercepts these. It connects with the heads of the Delphs, discharging water from
806-404: Is a modelling tool developed through a Defra / Environment Agency research collaboration. IDBs use CES to estimate the seasonal variation of conveyance owing to vegetation growth and other physical parameters which they use to assess the impact of varying the timing of vegetation clearance operations. This is critical during the spring and early summer, the prime nesting season for aquatic birds,
868-650: Is established in areas of special drainage need in England and Wales with permissive powers to undertake work to secure clean water drainage and water level management within drainage districts . The area of an IDB is not determined by county or metropolitan council boundaries, but by water catchment areas within a given region. IDBs are geographically concentrated in the Broads , Fens in East Anglia and Lincolnshire , Somerset Levels and Yorkshire . In comparison with public bodies in other countries, IDBs are most similar to
930-612: Is formed by resistant Jurassic age rocks, principally the Lincolnshire Limestone Formation , and is remarkable for its length and straightness. However it is modest in height, rising about 50 metres or less above the surrounding landscape. It runs for over 50 miles from the Leicestershire border near Grantham to the Humber Estuary , and is broken only twice by river gaps at Ancaster and Lincoln , through which
992-462: Is multiplied by the annual value to produce the amount of drainage rate due on each property. Under Section 141 of the Water Resources Act 1991 the Environment Agency may issue a precept to an IDB to recover a contribution that the agency considers fair towards their expenses. Under Section 57 of the Land Drainage Act 1991, in cases where a drainage district receives water from land at
1054-406: Is often left to re-colonise naturally. In all cases this additional part of the channel profile allows for enhanced environmental value to develop. The area created above the berm also provides additional flood storage capacity whilst the low level channel can be maintained in such a manner that design conveyance conditions are achieved and flood risk controlled. By widening the channel and the berm,
1116-402: Is that each property has been allotted an "annual value" which were last revised in the early 1990s. The annual value is an amount equal to the yearly rent, or the rent that might be reasonably expected if let on a tenancy from year to year commencing 1 April 1988. The annual value remains the same from year to year. Each year the board lays a rate "in the £" to meet its estimated expenditure. This
1178-561: Is the Middle Level Commissioners . The majority of internal drainage boards are members of the Association of Drainage Authorities (ADA) their representative organisation. Through ADA the collective views of drainage authorities and other members involved in water level management are represented to government, regulators, other policy makers and stakeholders. At a European level ADA represents IDBs through EUWMA . In 2013 it
1240-555: The Waterschappen of the Netherlands , Consorzi di bonifica e irrigazione of Italy , wateringen of Flanders and Northern France, Watershed Districts of Minnesota , United States and Marsh Bodies of Nova Scotia , Canada. Much of their work involves the maintenance of rivers, drainage channels ( rhynes ), ordinary watercourses , pumping stations and other critical infrastructure , facilitating drainage of new developments,
1302-637: The B1398 to the north. The second road is the Roman Ermine Street , the modern A15 , that runs parallel a few miles to the east of the Edge. North of Lincoln, the name Lincoln Cliff, or simply the Cliff, is locally used to refer to the entire ridge of Jurassic Limestone, not just its steep western scarp. This can be seen in placenames such as Welton Cliff, Saxby Cliff and Caenby Cliff, reflecting parish-based divisions of
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#17328726929191364-462: The Land Drainage Act 1991 . The district is effectively broken up into compartments by a number of rivers, acting as highland carriers , whose water level is normally above that of the surrounding land, but flooding is prevented by flood banks. The main river is the Witham, running broadly north to south through the district, but there is also the Car Dyke, which runs parallel to the Witham and further to
1426-732: The Lincolnshire Coast, the lower reaches of the Trent and the Yorkshire Ouse , the Somerset Levels and the Fens have concentrations of adjacent IDBs covering broad areas of lowland. In other parts of the country IDBs stretch in narrow ‘fingers’ up river valleys, separated by less low-lying areas, especially in Norfolk and Suffolk , Sussex , Kent , West Yorkshire , Herefordshire / Shropshire and
1488-654: The RSPB , National Trust and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust . Many smaller conservation projects are co-ordinated with Wildlife Trusts and local authorities. Current projects include: The Great Fen Project (Middle Level Commissioners), Newport Wetlands Reserve (Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels IDB) and WWT Welney (MLC). Middle Level Commissioners launched a three-year Otter Recovery Project in December 2007. It will build 33 otter holts and 15 other habitat areas. All properties within
1550-469: The 74 acres (30 ha) of Metheringham Delph are a nature reserve. Before the eighteenth century, the district was open common land, where those living in adjoining parishes had grazing rights. The fens were used as summer pasture, as they were frequently flooded for most of the winter period. Efforts to improve the Witham by straightening the channel, making it deeper, and constructing the Grand Sluice to
1612-497: The First District and another two from the Fifth District. The remainder came from the other four similar bodies created by the original Act. The Land Drainage Act 1930 made provision for the creation of internal drainage boards. The Witham and Steepings Catchment Board, who were responsible for the rivers at the time, proposed the creation of the Witham First District IDB, which took effect from 8 January 1934. In 1951,
1674-459: The River Slea. The water level of most of these is normally the same as that of the Witham, but they are fitted with pointed doors where they meet, which are designed to close by gravity if water levels in the Witham rise significantly. They are all classified as main rivers, and are therefore managed by the Environment Agency . The total length of rivers passing through the district or adjacent to it
1736-487: The Witham was straightened by cutting the South Delph, and the part of Branston parish which was now on the east bank of the Witham became known as Branston Island. Drainage was by a wind engine , but this was not adequate for the job, and in 1832 a further Act was obtained to allow a steam engine to be used. The Witham Commissioners thought that the extra volume of water and the speed with which it would be pumped would damage
1798-413: The Witham, and the land between it and the river was used as washland, and was flooded for up to nine months each year. By 1797, the process was better understood, and an Act of Parliament authorised the reclaiming of 2,800 acres (1,100 ha) of washland, by moving the banks much closer to the river, and extending the banks at the sides of several fens to join the repositioned flood bank. A drainage engine
1860-475: The berm can be safely used as access for machinery carrying out channel maintenance. While in-channel habitat that develops can be retained for a much longer period during the summer months, flood storage is provided for rare or extreme events and a buffer zone between the channel and any adjacent land use is created. The timing of vegetation clearance works is essential to striking a sustainable balance in lowland watercourses. The Conveyance Estimating System (CES)
1922-549: The board was restructured to include six extra members, when the Witham Fifth District IBD was abolished, and was effectively amalgamated with the First District. Its area of responsibility was extended in 1968, when parts of fourteen parishes and the Urban District of Sleaford came under its jurisdiction, and the board was again restructured on 7 July 1993, to include representatives from local councils, as required by
Witham First District IDB - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-575: The breeding season for many protected mammal species such as water voles and the season when many rare species of plant life flower and seed. Many IDBs have developed vegetation control strategies in co-ordination with Natural England . 111 IDB districts require pumping to some degree for water level management and 79 are purely gravity boards (where no pumping is required). 53 IDBs have more than 95% of their area dependent on pumping. This means in England some 635,722 hectares (2,454.54 sq mi) of land in IDB districts rely on pumping, almost 51% of
2046-467: The county, Lincoln Cliff or Edge is formed from a series of sedimentary rocks which dip very gently to the east. The older rocks to the west of the scarp are of Early Jurassic age whilst those to the east are of Middle Jurassic origin; Parts of this sequence of rocks have gone by different names in the past indicated above by italicised names in brackets, and these continue to be found in older geological literature and maps. The Charmouth Mudstones form
2108-526: The district (for instance the Middle Level Commissioners are also a navigation authority). IDBs are responsible to Defra from whom all legislation/regulations affecting them are issued. The work of an IDB is closely linked with that of the Environment Agency which has a range of functions providing a supervisory role over them. Defra brought IDBs under the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) from 1 April 2004, and introduced
2170-458: The ecological conservation and enhancement of watercourses , monitoring and advising on planning applications and making sure that any development is carried out in line with legislation ( NPPF ). IDBs are not responsible for watercourses designated as main rivers within their drainage districts ; the supervision of these watercourses is undertaken by the Environment Agency . The precursors to internal drainage boards date back to 1252; however,
2232-576: The effects of this activity and have worked in close collaboration with the coal companies and the Coal Authority. The fundamental role of an internal drainage board is to manage the water level within its district. The majority of lowland rivers and watercourses have been heavily modified by man or are totally artificial channels. All are engineered structures designed and constructed for the primary function of conveying surplus run-off to their outfall efficiently and safely, managing water levels to sustain
2294-521: The fen land in the parish of Branston was obtained in 1765, and another for the parish of Potterhanworth in 1774. This also gave the Commissioners powers to build banks, engines and sluices. A third Act was obtained in 1789, which authorised the embanking of 5,850 acres (2,370 ha) in Nocton, Potterhanworth and Branston. It included provision for enlarging the Car Dyke, and raising its eastern bank. In 1812,
2356-461: The historic divisions of Lindsey and Kesteven in central Lincolnshire and is a prominent landscape feature in a generally flat portion of the county. Towards its northern end, near Scunthorpe , it is sometimes referred to as the Trent Cliff . The name preserves an obsolete sense of the word " cliff ", which could historically refer to a hillside as well as a precipitous rock face. The scarp
2418-770: The internal drainage board for one internal drainage district in East Sussex. In Wales internal drainage districts are managed by Natural Resources Wales . Internal drainage districts in England Key to abbreviations: IDB = internal drainage board IDD = internal drainage district (Environment Agency administered) WLMB = water level management board WMB = water management board IDBs have an important role in reducing flood risk through management of water levels and drainage in their districts. The water level management activities of internal drainage boards cover 1.2 million hectares of England which represents 9.7% of
2480-430: The land used wind-pumps. The work had significant effects on land values. Arthur Young, writing in 1799, noted that land which was previously let at one shilling and sixpence (7.5p) per acre (0.4 ha), was now valued at between eleven shillings (55p) and seventeen shillings (85p) per acre. A Commissioner called Mr. Parkinson estimated that the rental value of 43,407 acres (17,566 ha) had risen from £5,982 to £42,375. This
2542-616: The lower ground to the west and the lowest part of the "cliff" whilst the Lincolnshire Limestone forms the plateau surface to the east of the scarp. The two gaps in the ridge at Lincoln and at Ancaster are interpreted as indicating the former course of the eastward flowing proto-Trent . The river flowed from the Nottingham area towards the North Sea via the Vale of Belvoir and the gap in
Witham First District IDB - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-438: The majority of today's IDBs were established by the national government following the passing of the Land Drainage Act 1930 and today predominantly operate under the Land Drainage Act 1991 under which, an IDB is required to exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to water level management of land within its district. Some IDBs may also have other duties, powers and responsibilities under specific legislation for
2666-567: The north of Boston did not prevent flooding. Following the passing of the 1762 Act, the structure was in place to address these issues. The commissioners had responsibility for the district, but also powers to collect rates, to ensure that the drainage works could be built and maintained. For administrative purposes, the district was divided up into a number of sub-districts, based on parish boundaries and enclosure acts. A series of Acts of Parliament, passed between 1779 and 1840 authorised improvements to these sub-districts, and initial attempts to drain
2728-464: The northern Vale of York . The largest IDB (Lindsey Marsh DB) covers 52,757 hectares and the smallest (Cawdle Fen IDB) 181 hectares. 24 of the county councils in England include one or more IDB in their area as do six metropolitan districts , and 109 unitary authorities or district councils . The Association of Drainage Authorities holds a definitive record of all IDBs within England and Wales and their boundaries. The Environment Agency acts as
2790-570: The ridge. This use of the name is not found south of Lincoln, where the term Cliff refers only to the scarp itself, as distinct from the limestone plateau (which is here called the Lincoln Heath). To minimise confusion, some people prefer the name Lincoln Edge or Lincolnshire Edge for the scarp that runs from Grantham to the Humber, reserving the name Lincoln Cliff for the section of limestone ridge north of Lincoln. One of several west-facing scarps within
2852-411: The river banks, and sought an injunction to prevent the use of steam power. This was refused, and a 40 hp (30 kW) engine was installed. Much of the fen was flooded in 1862, when a 156-foot (48 m) section of the South Delph flood bank failed. The Great Northern Railway Company, who owned the Witham at this time, argued that although the river was their responsibility, the bank was not, as it
2914-567: The rivers Slea and Witham respectively flow. To the west of the Cliff north of Lincoln lies the River Trent, with the valley of the Witham to the west south of Lincoln. The top of the Cliff is followed by two historically significant roads. Closely following the escarpment is an ancient trackway, loosely known as the Jurassic Way , which in large parts now consists of the A607 south of Lincoln and
2976-429: The streams into them by gravity. At Billinghay Skirth, a small sluice connects the two waterways. The district covers an area of 60.82 square miles (157.5 km), of which all but 1.03 square miles (2.7 km) is agricultural land. The catchment for the district includes an additional 2.88 square miles (7.5 km). Within the district, 11.8 acres (4.8 ha) are a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest , and
3038-496: The total land area. Reducing the flood risk to ~600,000 people who live or work, and ~879,000 properties located in IDB districts. Whilst many thousands of people outside of these boundaries also derive reduced flood risk from IDB water level management activities. Several forms of critical infrastructure fall within IDB districts including; 56 major power stations (28%) are located within an Internal Drainage District, 68 other major industrial premises and 208 km of motorway. In fact
3100-617: The total. A new pumping station was commissioned in April 2011 by the Middle Level Commissioners at Wiggenhall St Germans, Norfolk. The station replaced its 73-year-old predecessor and is vital to the flood risk management of 700 km (270 sq mi) of surrounding Fenland and 20,000 residential properties. When running at full capacity, it is capable of draining five Olympic-size swimming pools every 2 minutes. During times of heavy rainfall and high river levels IDBs: An IDB's priorities during flooding are: Some IDBs are able to provide
3162-464: The valley of the River Slea to above Sleaford . The district is divided into a number of compartments, as it is intersected by embanked rivers which cross the area, carrying water from the Car Dyke , which acts as a catchwater drain at the western boundary, to the Witham on its eastern edge. Most of the parishes were enclosed in the late 1700s, by separate Acts of Parliament , and steam-powered drainage
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#17328726929193224-415: The west, acting as a catchwater drain for water which would otherwise flow into the low-lying region. Between them, running broadly west to east, are seven other channels. Beginning in the north, below Lincoln, and working south towards Boston, these are Sandhill Beck, Branston Delph, Nocton Delph, Metheringham Delph, Timberland Delph, Billinghay Skirth, and Kyme Eau, which is another name for the lower part of
3286-460: Was "effected by a moderate embankment and the erection of windmills for throwing out the superfluous water." The science of Fen drainage was not well understood when the first enclosure acts were passed, and it was thought that flooding might be worse if the embankments were placed too close to the river. Consequently, the Dales Head Dyke was constructed, about 1 mile (1.6 km) to the west of
3348-550: Was announced that the Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels Internal Drainage Board was to be abolished in April 2015, after officials at the Wales Audit Office detailed a series of irregularities, including overpaying its chief executive, misuse of public funds, financial irregularities, and unlawful actions. Lincoln Cliff The Lincoln Cliff or Lincoln Edge is a portion of a major escarpment that runs north–south through
3410-440: Was coupled to a 48-inch (120 cm) centrifugal pump . Further upgrades included a Foster tandem horizontal steam engine in 1924 and a Ruston diesel engine in 1938. When the equipment was replaced by electric pumps in 1976, the diesel engine and Gwynnes pump were retained, and are open to the public during the summer. Billinghay South Fen was enclosed in 1777, and covered 4,526 acres (18.32 km). The first beam engine, which
3472-447: Was installed in 1956. The Timberland and Thorpe fens cover an area of 2,850 acres (11.5 km) and were enclosed in 1785. An Act of Parliament obtained in 1839 authorised drainage, and the first Timberland pumping station was constructed in that year. A 26.5-foot (8.1 m) scoop wheel was driven by a 30 hp (22 kW) beam engine, discharging water into the Witham. A high-pressure condensing beam engine replaced it in 1881, which
3534-480: Was introduced from the 1830s. Steam engines were gradually replaced by oil and diesel engines, and most have since been superseded by electric pumps. The Witham First District IDB maintains thirteen pumping stations and 165 miles (266 km) of drainage channels. The River Witham passes through low-lying land in Lincolnshire , which is susceptible to flooding. In 1762, an act of Parliament (2 Geo iii, c.32, 1762)
3596-569: Was manufactured by Green Atkinson, and its scoop wheel, lasted from 1841 until 1935. It was then replaced by two diesel engines with Gwynnes pumps. The building was bombed by enemy aircraft in 1941, during the Second World War , and five members of the Richardson family were killed. Richardson was the engine driver at the time. After the incident many redundant chimneys were demolished, as they were prominent targets for enemy aircraft. By 1977 pumping
3658-412: Was not specifically mentioned in the 1812 Act. However, Lincoln Assizes decided differently, and awarded damages to those affected by the flood. The engine was replaced by a Marshall steam engine and 36-inch (91 cm) Gwynnes pump sometime in the early twentieth century, which was itself replaced by a Ruston oil engine in 1940. An Allen-Gwynnes electric motor driving a 24-inch (61 cm) axial flow pump
3720-512: Was passed, which created the Witham General Drainage Commissioners, and divided the area into six districts, each with responsibility for land drainage. These were called the Witham First, Second, Third , Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Districts. The First District covered an area of 24,916 acres (10,083 ha), bounded on the north and east by the river, and on the south and west by the Car Dyke , an ancient navigation channel. The Fifth District covered
3782-433: Was performed by two electric-powered 30-inch (76 cm) pumps manufactured by Allen-Gwynnes. The table shows the locations of the IDB pumping stations, with the number of pumps in 2008, and the maximum pumped flow in megalitres per day (Mld) (1 Mld is 0.233 million gallons per day). Download coordinates as: Internal drainage board An internal drainage board ( IDB ) is a type of operating authority which
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#17328726929193844-517: Was to be moved from Blankney Fen to Martin Fen, and the documents were to be stored in a chest in Timberland Church, where they could be viewed on payment of one shilling (5p). By the 1840s, several steam-powered pumping stations had been built, to pump water from the drains into the river more efficiently. Early installations, such as that at Dunston and Metheringham, consisted of a beam engine driving
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