Citizen Forester: Leaky dam installation at Crompton Moor, Oldham

The Details

Join us for a day of installing a leaky dam, carrying out some riparian tree maintenance work, and removing juncus. These tasks will slow the flow of the river and prevent flooding downstream.

This work will rewet the area and hold water back from the villages at the end of Old Brook, benefitting flood resistance and biodiversity. The riparian work helps the trees to continue to establish themselves along the bank of the river, allowing them to store water in periods of heavy rainfall. Installing a leaky dam can be strenuous work, so please bear in mind when booking onto the event. It will be carried out using tools such as a mattock, spades, and wrecking bars. We will be digging into the ground to create a trench, piling logs on top of one another to create the dam, and then backfilling with the soil material.

All tools to carry out the natural flood management tasks will be provided. Please wear waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear. Crompton Moor is very uneven under foot, and we will be working in and around water. We will provide half and full length waders.

No prior experience is necessary- you will be guided through the tasks by the City of Trees team. This activity is suitable for all ages who would be okay with the difficult terrain at Crompton Moor.

Time & Location

• 10:00 – 15:00
• Meet in the car park at 10am. What3words: ///evolution.rare.cobble
• Working area for the day: What3words: ///pushes.starlight.conquest
• If you have any issues finding the event on the day then please contact Grace: 07759369215

Parking/public transport

• Parking is available in Crompton Moor car park for free
• The nearest bus stop is Hillside Avenue (9 minute walk away) which is served by the 402, 435, 436, 832, and 891 bus.
• The closest Metrolink stop is Shaw and Crompton (half an hour walk away).

About the site

Crompton Moor is a public site. The area is maintained and looked after by the Friends of Crompton Moor group. The area we are working is by a pond. The ground is very uneven, and there is around a 5-minute walk up a fairly steep hill to our working area. A portaloo will be based in the car park for all volunteers to use.