The Catalyst For Change
Established in the aftermath of Storm Babet, the Lower Deben Owners Group (LDOG) was formed to redefine our relationship with our wonderful river ecosystems. The group was born from a necessity to move beyond reactive measures and toward a proactive, strategic framework for river management.
The Mission
LDOG unifies strategy, enablement, and delivery to support three key pillars:
Resilience
Ensuring better protection during extreme flood events.
Sustainability
Increasing availability of water during drought conditions.
Balance
Managing the river for the dual benefit of humanity and the natural world.
Strategic Progress
Swift Implementation: Within 12 months of its inception, LDOG established an excellent working relationship with the Environment Agency.
Project Scope: LDOG has agreed to deliver up to 10 projects, focusing on a "no regrets" approach, which typically refers to actions that have net benefits regardless of future climate scenarios.
Execution Timeline: The execution of these projects with partners is scheduled to commence in 2026.
Click images to enlarge.
2026 Proposed Projects
Overview of project locations. Click "View Location Map" on any project to see the precise What3Words location.
Reconnect floodplain with the main channel in Wickham Market.
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Main channel repair.
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De-silt the main engineered channel to Dingley Wood and redistribute the gravel bund.
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Install sheet piling to prevent the merging of the main channel into the bypass channel.
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Click images to enlarge. Progression of bank erosion.
De-silt the southern branch of the designated relief channel from Sink Farm.
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Undertake minor repairs to ensure the sluice gate can be made fully operational.
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Install riffle for fish passage, restore flow, and clear bypass channel. Possible NFM.
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Raise the severely eroded cill to manage main channel water levels. Possible NFM.
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Stabilize the embankment to address and mitigate complete collapse risks. Possible NFM.
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Replace the sluice gate with a riffle to ensure wider catchment function. Possible NFM.
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Flattening the curve
Hydrological Science meets Historic Logic
Committee Members
Sir Michael Bunbury
ChairGovernance
Stephen Fletcher
SecretaryOversight
Guy Hayward
CROStrategy & Delivery
Trevor Gill
ExecutiveStrategy & Delivery
William Harrison
ExecutiveStrategy & Delivery
Bruce Kerr
Agri InsightsFuture of Farming
James Foskett
Agri InsightsFuture of Farming
John Fleming
Historic InsightsLower Deben Stewardship
Strategic Partners
