Nature Reserve · Pembrokeshire, Wales · 22nd August, 2025

Restoring a Silted Pond and Natural Brook

Silt removal and watercourse clearance to increase pond depth and reopen a natural brook feeding into the pond.

Restoring a Silted Pond

At a nature reserve in Pembrokeshire, our team was asked to restore a small pond that had become heavily choked with accumulated silt and reed growth. Following reed clearance, a silt pump was used to remove the accumulated material and increase the depth of the pond. The silt was pumped into large dewatering bags, allowing excess water to drain away while retaining the heavier material. The works were carried out progressively over several days, gradually removing many tonnes of silt and restoring valuable open water within the reserve.

After desilting pond and water depth increased

Before desilting pond to increase water depth

Dewatering Many Tonnes of Silt

The dewatering bags were filled using the silt pump and then left to drain before further material was added. This process was repeated throughout the works, allowing the bags to gradually accumulate many tonnes of silt while excess water drained away. The approach provided a controlled and practical way to handle the material on site without immediately removing it from the reserve. As the pumping progressed, the depth of the pond increased and areas of open water were restored.

Dewatering bags filled with silt during pond restoration works in Pembrokeshire

Reopening the Natural Brook

A grab bucket was also used to remove a 'silt island' that had accumulated in the middle of the watercourse. Removing this material opened up the natural brook feeding into the pond, improving the connection between the incoming watercourse and the restored open water. Combined with the silt pumping works, the clearance helped restore the pond's depth and improve the natural flow through the site.