WN4: Ditch, dyke and rhine creation

Find out about eligibility and requirements for the ditch, dyke and rhine creation item.

• From: Rural Payments Agency and Natural England
• Published: 2 April 2015
• Last updated: 3 February 2025 — See all updates

• Grant type: Capital item
• Land use: Flood risk, Grassland, Priority habitats and Uplands
• Tiers or standalone items: Higher Tier and Standalone capital items
• Funding (per unit per year): Up to £100

This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.

How much you’ll be paid 

£13.63 per metre (m).

How this item benefits the environment

Raising water levels by creating ditches, dykes or rhines helps to restore or create habitats.

Where you can use this item 

You can use this item in combination with actions or options to manage, restore and create habitats or features with the support of Natural England.

You will need to get any necessary consents from the Environment Agency, lead local flood authority or internal drainage board before you start any work.

You cannot use this item to create ditches that lead to waterlogged land draining or to archaeological features drying out.

What you must do to use this item

You must:

• create a channel between 70 centimetres (cm) and 100cm deep, creating a variety of depths in it and grading to a shallow, wet marginal fringe
• make sure that the slope of the bank varies along the length of the ditch (most slopes should be between 30 and 45 degrees)
• place the excavated material on top of the bank or in the field next to it, making sure it does not fill hollows or low areas
• make sure the excavated material is not placed on historic or archaeological features
• spread the spoil thinly to prevent a spoil bank from forming

You should discuss and agree requirements that are specific to your site with your adviser.

Evidence you must keep 

You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim

You must also keep and provide on request: 

• receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
• photographs of the site before works start
• any advice, consents or permissions connected with the works

Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.

Advice to help you use this item

The following advice may help you to use this item, but you do not have to follow it to get paid. It’s not part of this item’s requirements.

You should aim to create ditches, rhines or dykes that are characteristic of the local landscape.

Published 2 April 2015
Last updated 3 February 2025 + show all updates

1. 3 February 2025

   Amended item - you can now use this item with more CS options or CSHT actions.

2. 4 August 2023

   This item can now be used as a standalone item not just in combination with a land management options

3. 8 March 2017

   Updated for 2017 applications.

4. 29 March 2016

   Information updated for applications in 2016.

5. 2 April 2015

   First published.