Restoring the River Leven

The River Leven Restoration Story

The River Leven is a vital part of our local landscape, flowing 29 miles from Loch Leven into the Firth of Forth at Leven. Throughout history the river has played an important role in local industries such as linen weaving, iron works and paper mills and to this day the river continues to support businesses to deliver products and create jobs. However, historic modifications to the river as a result of industry impacted the way it functioned.

As part of the Leven Programme, the River Leven Restoration project aimed to improve a 2 ½ mile stretch of the River Leven flowing from Cameron Bridge to Leven. Our vision was to restore the river to a more natural state for the benefit of local people and wildlife by removing or adapting some of these man-made changes and making it easier for fish to move upstream and downstream past the former Burn Mill and Kirkland Dams.

The project also aimed to integrate with other local initiatives, including the Levenmouth Connectivity Project and River Park Routes, to create a sustainable and accessible green-blue space for recreation, active travel, and conservation.

Project Aims

• Improve the quality of the river and surrounding greenspace for local communities.
• Enhance public access and amenities to support health and well-being.
• Implement natural flood management strategies.
• Adapt to the challenges of climate change.
• Improve biodiversity by restoring and creating new habitats.

River Restoration
 

Following two years of extensive research and consultation, works on Phase 1 of the River Leven restoration began in Autumn 2023.
 

Phase 1

The first phase of works was delivered on the north shore of the river around the new Cameron Bridge Station and Duniface Crossing Point (known locally as Swaines Bridge) in close collaboration with the Levenmouth Rail Link project. Key restoration efforts included:

• Creation of ponded areas to promote wet woodland habitat.
• Reprofiling of a small section of the Kennoway Burn to improve its connection with the floodplain.
• Planting of a range of native trees and wetland plants.

Phase 2

Construction works on Phase 2 of the project took place between July and October 2024 between the former Kirkland and Burn Mill dams. Key restoration efforts included:

• Kirkland Dam Rock Ramp and Bankside Restoration – A “nature-like” rock ramp was constructed to allow fish to pass upstream. Bankside areas were restored using locally sourced stone and high-quality topsoil, stabilised with biodegradable coir matting to support vegetation growth.
• Burn Mill Dam Removal – The full removal of the Burn Mill Dam significantly improved river flow and fish passage. Adjacent floodplains were restored with native plantings to encourage biodiversity.
• Floodplain Scrapes and Wetland Enhancements – Six floodplain scrapes were created—four near Kirkland Dam and two by the Duniface rail and river crossing—planted with over 4,000 native wetland plants to support pollinators and aquatic life.
• In-Channel Habitat Enhancements – Large wood structures were installed upstream of Kirkland Dam and Duniface to provide shelter for fish, birds, and invertebrates.
• Green Bank Measures and Bank Reprofiling – Green bank techniques, including rock rolls and pre-vegetated coir rolls, were implemented along a 100m stretch of the riverbank to improve habitat and visual appeal. Additionally, a small section of gabion basket at Dam Wood was removed, and the bank was reprofiled to restore natural river flow.

Early signs of ecological recovery include increased upstream sea trout movement, a positive indicator of improved river connectivity and habitat quality.

Green Infrastructure

4,000 wetland plants and 300 native trees such as willow, alder, and birch were planted along the riverbanks and floodplain scrapes to promote biodiversity and create a thriving natural environment.

Community Engagement

The project team carried out surveys and research, engaged with local landowners, technical experts, and key stakeholders, and reviewed data on the current state of the river and the Kirkland and Burn Mill Dams. This information was compiled into restoration proposals designed to enhance the River Leven for both people and wildlife.

These proposals were shared with the local community in December 2022, and the project team was grateful for the insights and opinions provided. Some residents attended dedicated events, while others submitted feedback through local libraries, online platforms, or informal discussions throughout the project’s duration.

The feedback received played a crucial role in shaping the restoration improvements. All responses were carefully considered and balanced with the project’s objectives. Overall, the community response was highly positive, reinforcing local support for the initiative.

Project Recognition

• European Interest: In July 2024, the project team were interviewed live at the former Burn Mill Dam site by Dam Removal Europe to talk about the restoration works and promote the project to a wider audience. Click here to watch: Live from Scotland! Join us to celebrate a recent weir removal in River Leven (youtube.com)

• Ministerial Visit: A visit from First Minister John Swinney to the Kirkland rock-ramp site in September 2024 to launch the Scottish National Adaption Plan 2024-2029 highlighted the project’s importance and attracted significant public and media attention.

Video Footage Documenting the Project

Gallery of the Kirkland Dam Works 

Gallery of the Burn Mill Dam Works 

Fife Coast and Countryside Trust were delighted to manage this ambitious project in partnership with Fife Council and SEPA, with thanks to our excellent contractors cbec-eco-engineering and McGowan Environmental Ltd for bringing our vision for the River Leven to life