Climate change and flooding are growing problems that demand innovative and sustainable solutions. Hidden in the slopes of Devon’s hillsides lie historic land features that were once integral to a rural farming lifestyle. Recently, some of these ancient features have been rediscovered for their exciting potential in improving flood and climate resilience across Devon.
Among these forgotten earthworks are catch meadows, which were traditionally developed and used by medieval farmers to irrigate their fields and enrich soils for grass growth and farming productivity. This was achieved by purposefully diverting stream water and storing it on sloped land. Read on to learn more about the history of catch meadows, and how they could be the key to unlocking new ways to manage water flow and shape a more resilient future for Devon’s communities and natural environment.
What are catch meadows?
Dating back to the 17th century, catch meadows are a traditional water management system once widely used by farmers on sloped farmland. These meadows were crafted by hand, with a series of parallel channels (or gutters) dug into the sides of hills and valleys running across the slope.
Designed to carefully control the flow of water, the catch meadow system created a thin layer of water that spread across the fields, delivering warmth, nutrients, and oxygen to the soil. This resulted in improved grass growth and the melting of frost during the colder months – both vital for sustaining cattle and livestock through the winter.
How do they work?
Stream water is diverted into the topmost channel and allowed to spill over the slope. The channel below catches the water and the process repeats down the hillside.
Take a look at the image below to see how catch meadows once shaped Devon’s agricultural landscape and managed water flow.
Why are catch meadows being brought back?
Once a common sight across Devon’s hillsides, catch meadows are now rarely seen due to the rise in modern, intensive farming. Today, these historic systems are being reimagined as practical, nature-based tools for tackling some of today’s environmental challenges.
Reviving these meadows could:
· Manage water levels and slow surface water flow
· Reduce flooding for downstream communities
· Improve soil health and boost land productivity
· Create habitats and movement corridors for wildlife
· Preserve Devon’s cultural and agricultural heritage
· Improve climate resilience in rural areas.
Case study: catch meadow restoration at Combe Martin
We are thrilled to share the completion of a catch meadow restoration project in Combe Martin, North Devon. Led by North Devon Biosphere (partners of DRIP), and supported by Devon County Council’s Historic Environment Team, local landowners, and the wider community, this collaborative effort has brought a historic catch meadow back to life in a field above the village.
This project stands as a model for other communities, both in Devon and beyond, who are looking to harness traditional land features for natural flood management (NFM). Ancient systems, such as the catch meadow, could be both adapted and combined with modern NFM measures to slow the flow of floodwater and build resilience into the landscape and within communities.
Our hope is to inspire a future where historical features and traditional land management methods play a central role in climate adaptation and flood resilience, and where nature-based solutions and community-led action are encouraged.
