The Plan Needs To Change - Excessive Flooding
Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome back. In this second part of the rewilding series for Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands, we continue our journey through what was meant to be a carefully phased restoration effort. However, shortly after January 2020, a significant and unexpected event would transform the landscape entirely: a major flooding episode. Although the area is known to flood occasionally due to its location on a natural floodplain, this event was not typical. The scale and intensity of the flooding fundamentally altered the local ecology and in just a matter of days, our initial rewilding plan was rendered unworkable.
As the riverbanks began to erode and rapid flooding surged across the landscape, the danger became very real. The risk to life during observation was serious, and although safety had to be the top priority, it was also essential to witness the damage firsthand. These early observations were critical to understanding the new challenges ahead. The river currents had become dangerously strong, and the waters quickly rose to levels that were not only unpredictable but also destructive to the surrounding terrain. What this showed us was that future rewilding projects around the river would need to account for far more frequent and intense weather extremes than previously expected.
When the floodwaters finally receded, the extent of the damage became clear: Large boulders had shifted within the river, altering the natural flow of water. Delicate subsoils were exposed, putting them at risk of erosion in future floods. Tree roots had been torn free, reducing anchorage and increasing the likelihood of collapse. These weren't superficial changes they reflected a deeper ecological instability. It became clear that there was no longer a simple solution to restoring the woodlands. The weather extremes we once considered rare were now an emerging norm.
At this stage, it was evident: more research was needed before we could proceed. The environmental conditions were shifting faster than anticipated, and the first step would now be waste removal a crucial task that had to be completed before any long-term rewilding could succeed. The new plan required: Walking the riverbanks to assess structural vulnerabilities. Documenting and removing dumped waste materials. Identifying species still surviving in key areas. This meant returning to the woodland’s edges, up close, to truly understand the scale of recovery required. So, Ladies and Gentlemen, join us in Part 3, where we take a closer look at the waste removal process and how these efforts shaped a new vision for restoring the Pont-Y-Pandy Woodlands. Until the next time… Take care.
Michael "Druid" Thomas
Lunacare Cymru | Media – Blog
