River Condition Assessment

At Wildfox, we provide River Condition Assessments (RCAs) to support Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) compliance and ensure that watercourses are properly assessed and enhanced as part of development projects. If your site includes a river, stream, ditch, or wetland, an RCA may be required to evaluate its ecological condition and determine the necessary improvements.

What is a River Condition Assessment?

A River Condition Assessment (RCA) is a structured evaluation of a watercourse’s ecological health, following the BNG metric methodology. It categorises rivers into condition bands based on habitat quality, hydrology, connectivity, and management. The assessment must be conducted by a MORPH-qualified ecologist to ensure accurate data collection and compliance with BNG and planning regulations.

When Do You Need an RCA?

You will likely need an RCA if:

• Your project affects a river, stream, ditch, or wetland.

• You need to calculate river habitat changes as part of a BNG Assessment.

• The Environment Agency or local planning authority requires it for compliance.

• You are restoring or enhancing a river as part of a biodiversity offsetting strategy.

What’s Included in Our RCA Service?

Our comprehensive River Condition Assessment service includes:

1. Baseline Condition Survey

• Conducted by a MORPH-qualified ecologist.

• On-site assessment of the physical structure, flow conditions, and habitat quality of the river.

• Evaluation of riparian vegetation, connectivity, and hydromorphology.

• Classification of the river into Poor, Moderate, Good, or High condition based on the BNG metric.

2. BNG Metric Calculations

• Calculation of pre-development river habitat units using the latest BNG metric.

• Prediction of post-development condition based on proposed interventions.

• Identification of habitat enhancement opportunities to improve river health.

3. Management and Enhancement Recommendations

• Mitigation measures to prevent ecological degradation.

• Habitat creation and restoration plans, including riparian buffer zones and in-stream improvements.

• Long-term management strategies to maintain or improve condition scores over time.

4. Compliance and Reporting

• Full RCA report suitable for submission to planning authorities and regulatory bodies.

• Clear recommendations for achieving BNG compliance.

• Guidance on additional assessments if protected species (e.g., water voles, otters) are present.