Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Method of weir installation using customised excavator attachment

Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom

Peatland rehabilitation often requires the placement of weirs to retain water levels over the expanse of the peatland. There weirs are extremely difficult and expensive to install in the precise location and orientation as laid out by the rehabilitation plan’s hydrological requirements. What solution or practice is proposed? Bord na Móna has developed a process to install corrugated plastic weirs using a digger attachment. Firstly, in the ‘horizontal mode’, it places three integrated corrugated plastic weir sections in the right location and pushes them into the berm outfall. Secondly, in the ‘vertical mode’, it pushes the middle corrugated section down to the outfall level as specified by the hydrological plan. What are the results or benefits? This is a very cost-effective method to install weirs - two operators and a digger can install up to 40 weirs in a single day. Also, if after installation it becomes apparent that the water level needs to be adjusted, then the same attachment is a cost effective method to modify the water level. What should practitioners do? To implement this system requires a peatland compatible digger, correct digger attachment and skilled operators.

Additional information

Author Arthur Devine, Bord na Móna

David.McNicholas@bnm.ie

Source Project
PALUdiculture large-Scale Demonstrations
Ongoing | 2025-2029
Main funding source
Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, United Kingdom
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