The Cornish village is at less risk of flooding and now has 11 hectares of new intertidal habitat where wildlife is thriving, with new and returning species.

The Environment Agency has reduced flood risk to the Cornish village of Calstock while creating 11 hectares of intertidal habitat.

Over 600 metres of new earth embankments have been built to protect Calstock from flooding from the River Tamar. These embankments are set back from the river and a section of the old flood bank was removed, allowing water from the estuary to flow into newly created pools and creeks. This has reconnected this section of the river with its floodplain, creating new intertidal wetland habitat.

The Environment Agency’s monitoring and management plan has been created to monitor the area’s wildlife. This is being implemented by us, Natural England and volunteers from the Calstock Wetlands Management Partnership. Greenshanks, avocets, snipes, water rails and European smelts are among the growing number of species spotted in the area.