Bury Times
·Jul 2026
Why 137 'leaky dams' are being built in Ramsbottom
A natural flood management project on the Stubbins Estate and Holcombe Moor near Ramsbottom is installing 137 permeable wooden dams. Led by the National Trust and United Utilities, with Aitch Conservation carrying out the work, the scheme is intended to slow high-velocity runoff, reduce downstream flood risk, improve water quality in the River Irwell catchment, and support habitats and climate resilience. Its effectiveness will be monitored using drones, photography, flow monitors, time-lapse footage and the Storm Harvester analytics tool, with universities, government agencies and local authorities participating.