Home | Recovering the Deben from Source to Sea

Recovering the Deben: From Source to Sea is an ambitious project that aims to restore the land, water, and nature throughout the River Deben catchment and estuary.

Our vision is to recover the River Deben for people to love and wildlife to thrive

Tide Mill at Woodbridge reflected in the calm waters of the River Deben at sunset

Aerial view of the River Deben at Woodbridge, showing boats, marshes, and the town on a sunny day

Close-up of a kingfisher perched on a branch above water

DISCOVER RECOVERING THE DEBEN

Find out how the project began, who’s involved, and how we’re working together to restore the river Deben from source to sea.

Learn More

OUR LATEST PROJECT NEWS AND UPDATES

DEC 2025 - Deben Estuary Water Quality Update - Woodbridge Outfall Safari

Water Quality is a fast moving, high interest area for the River Deben Association. Since the last RDA Journal Article (‘Water Quality Update’ January 2025), Waldringfield Bathing Water Designation Area has achieved (announced 25th October 2025) a second year of clear run 20/20 [Excellent] measurements across the May-September Environment Agency (EA) bathing season.

This latest journal article focusses on trying to resolve the debate on just how many outfalls there are between Martlesham Creek to Wilford Bridge. Read more

River Deben, Lower Ufford - coastalrunner.png

NOV 2025 - Woods for Water Event

On 28/11/25, two of the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust (ESRT) team attended the Woods for Water - Recovering the Deben from Source to Sea drop in event at Wickham Market Village Hall. This drop in event, led by the Forestry Commission, was attended not only by the Essex and Suffolk Rivers Trust, but also the Woodland Trust, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, Suffolk Tree Wardens and National Landscapes. Read more

WHAT'S ON
Events and dates of note for the Deben catchment

22 JAN 2026 - Farm Wildlife Advice Event

Winter bird food: mixes and methods to fill the hungry gap.

Join Suffolk Wildlife Trust to learn practical ways to support farmland birds and their role in farm food webs.
This event will cover challenges and solutions for successful winter bird food plots, seed-mix choices, sowing techniques and plot management, real-time discussion during a farm walk with a farm manager.

Find out more about the above and other future events here

Calendar

PROJECT THEMES

Recovering the Deben from Source to Sea is a large landscape-scale project that includes five key areas of work. Each of the sections below represents a different focus area - click to explore how we’re restoring natural edges to riverbanks, improving water quality, rebuilding habitat connectivity, utilising natural flood management (NFM) and promoting the value of the river and the water within it.