A detailed study has found that almost 90% of the embankment running along the upper River Spey is in good condition, while highlighting areas in need of close attention.

The report, published today, covers 87km of floodbanks on the River Spey and selected tributaries, running from the Spey Dam near Laggan to Grantown-on-Spey.  

It was carried out with the support of more than 70 land managers, many of whom outlined key areas of concern and explained how floodwater typically moves through their land.   

The assessment was commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority as part of its commitment to the beaver monitoring and mitigation plan, following discussions with the Cairngorms Crofters and Farmers Community. The group's secretary John Macpherson worked closely with Park Authority staff and consultants cbec throughout the study.  

As we continue to experience more severe weather events associated with climate change, surveys like this help to give an up-to-date picture of embankment conditions and highlight areas requiring maintenance or other solutions.   

Today’s report, part of a commitment to monitor floodbanks annually between 2023 and 2028, sets out the findings of a baseline survey which was carried out by consultants cbec over 2023 and 2024. The same stretch will be subject to annual monitoring walkovers over the next three years to assess any changes in embankment and riverbank condition. 

Consultants looked at the condition of the floodbanks and highlighted any risks of breaching or breaches; where a section of embankment which has been compromised and allows floodwater to pass through onto land.  

The survey concluded that floodbanks are impacted by a range of factors, including erosion, movement of floodwater, trampling of the embankment by animals, burrowing and a lack of diverse vegetation in the river corridor. The baseline condition assessment found that 87.5% of the embankment length surveyed – a cumulative distance of 85.3km - was deemed to be in good condition, with breaches in a combined 1.1km of the total length.  

Around 12.5% of the total embankment length was found to be eroding to varying levels of severity, with a small fraction (1.2%; around 1km) deemed to be high risk of breaching.  

Subsequent annual surveys will target areas identified as being at risk of erosion, where breaching of the embankment is likely to or has taken place, and areas of concern highlighted by land managers or the Park Authority. 

The survey has been sent to all land managers involved. The Park Authority and cbec will host an event in mid-February to discuss the report in more detail with all land managers with floodbanks in the survey area.   

The report’s findings will be also be discussed at upcoming meetings of the Cairngorms Agricultural Advisory Group and the Beaver Management and Mitigation group.   

Andy Ford, Director of Nature and Climate Change at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said:  “The recent storms were yet another reminder of the challenges we are facing as our climate changes. This study gives a full picture of the current condition of the riverbanks and their associated flood embankments, while helping to track any changes over the next few years.  

“This will help us target our support for land managers and finding innovative solutions to the impacts of increasing flood events.  

“We look forward to discussing the survey in more detail at our events in the weeks ahead.”  

John Macpherson, secretary of the Cairngorms Crofters and Farmers Community (CCFC) , said: "The CCFC has worked closely with the Cairngorms National Park Authority to conduct a floodbank survey to help with management and protection of farmland, biodiversity, flood risks and other possible impacts.   

“I'd like to thank all the crofters, farmers and land managers who gave their permission and worked with us on this survey and CCFC looks forward to engaging with the Park Authority and others following the release of the study.”