1st July 2021
We're looking for students to become Barmston Drain guardians!
Have you ever wondered what Barmston Drain is for, how it's looked after and the important part it plays in helping to prevent flooding and manage the flow of water locally?
Well, we'd like to offer students at schools near Barmston Drain the opportunity to find out just that, as well as all about the broader subject of water and protecting the environment.
As part of the Living with Water partnership, Yorkshire Water has developed a session aimed at Key Stage 2 students, linked to the topic of water. We're delighted to be able to offer it to your school and would love you to get involved.
The session will be split into two halves...
Sessions are available on the following dates:
- Tuesday 21 September
- Wednesday 22 September
- Thursday 23 September
- Friday 24 September
- Wednesday 29 September
- Thursday 30 September
- Friday 1 October
To book your session, please click here and in the comments request the 'Hull Dynamic Drain Programme'
COVID-19 safety
These sessions will be delivered in a Covid-19 secure way, in accordance with the most current protocols. Risk assessments will be provided by both Yorkshire Water and Groundwork.
We really hope you'd like to get involved and help us find our future Barmston Drain guardians!
Did you know?
Barmston Drain was constructed around 1800 and drains a large area of former marshes to the north of Beverley.
It is 23 miles long and follows the course of the River Hull through the city and enters the river at Wincolmlee, not far from The Deep. At the end of the drain are a set of tidal doors that prevent the water coming back from the River Humber at high tide. In the upper reaches there are two pumping stations that transfer water into the River Hull.
The amount of water that now flows through Hull is much less than it used to be. In the past, the drain was used for leisure activities such as swimming and fishing, as well as cooling the power station on Sculcoates and other industrial uses.
The Environment Agency (EA) is responsible for maintaining the drain and ensuring that it continues to flow. Annual maintenance work takes approximately 4 weeks to complete. Each year, the EA team cuts the grass along the banks with tractors and a robotic mower and removes a substantial amount of rubbish. It then brings in a 24-tonne excavator and lifts in two weed boats using a crane. The machines cut the reed beds and other weeds from the water and also remove large amounts of rubbish. All the rubbish is taken away in trailers and ends up at a landfill site.
The EA also looks after the outfall and the tidal doors to make sure they don’t block up and cause a flood. A large metal screen in front of the doors catches rubbish and weeds that float downstream. The rubbish is cleared and loaded into skips.
