Scottish Water Ltd.
Scottish Water Ltd.
03/12/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/12/2026 06:06
Work to Restore Vital Fen Habitat at Gartmorn Dam
Scottish Water has teamed up with Clackmannanshire Council and NatureScot to help restore rare fen habitat at a popular reservoir.
Gartmorn Dam, one of Scotland's oldest constructed reservoirs, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for open water transition fen - a key ecosystem which helps to support wildlife, as well as improving water quality and climate resilience.
In recent years the fen has started to degrade, so working alongside the council, NatureScot and contractor Ground Control, Scottish Water has carried out the strategic removal of a number of trees at the site in a bid to stop its condition deteriorating further and help restore it to full health.
Terri Ward, biodiversity and natural capital team leader at Scottish Water, said: "We recognise how vital the fen habitat is at Gartmorn Dam and hope that the work we have carried out here in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and NatureScot represents a positive step forward in its restoration.
"Sensitively removing a number of trees at the site will help protect the fen from drying out and allow more light to reach the area, while also providing an attractive habitat for wildfowl that prefer open areas into the reservoir."
Clackmannanshire Council rangers will monitor the condition of the fen going forward, while the trees and branches that have been removed have been used to create brash piles - providing year-round habitats for insects.
Terri added: "Our reservoirs and landholdings represent a significant part of Scotland's natural capital, and we are always looking for ways to make a positive contribution to improving biodiversity at these sites in whatever way we can."
The reservoir is owned by Scottish Water and leased by Clackmannanshire Council to form part of Gartmorn Dam Country Park.
Gartmorn Dam, one of Scotland's oldest constructed reservoirs, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for open water transition fen - a key ecosystem which helps to support wildlife, as well as improving water quality and climate resilience.
In recent years the fen has started to degrade, so working alongside the council, NatureScot and contractor Ground Control, Scottish Water has carried out the strategic removal of a number of trees at the site in a bid to stop its condition deteriorating further and help restore it to full health.
Terri Ward, biodiversity and natural capital team leader at Scottish Water, said: "We recognise how vital the fen habitat is at Gartmorn Dam and hope that the work we have carried out here in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council and NatureScot represents a positive step forward in its restoration.
"Sensitively removing a number of trees at the site will help protect the fen from drying out and allow more light to reach the area, while also providing an attractive habitat for wildfowl that prefer open areas into the reservoir."
Clackmannanshire Council rangers will monitor the condition of the fen going forward, while the trees and branches that have been removed have been used to create brash piles - providing year-round habitats for insects.
Terri added: "Our reservoirs and landholdings represent a significant part of Scotland's natural capital, and we are always looking for ways to make a positive contribution to improving biodiversity at these sites in whatever way we can."
The reservoir is owned by Scottish Water and leased by Clackmannanshire Council to form part of Gartmorn Dam Country Park.
Scottish Water Ltd. published this content on March 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 12, 2026 at 12:07 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]