Hydrology & Water Feature Design Reports in Devon & Cornwall
Pond Design | Wetland Creation | Rewilding & Regenerative Land Management
Hydrology-led pond and wetland design for resilient, wildlife-rich landscapes
Sasaquatics Ltd provides hydrology and water feature design reports for landowners, farmers, community groups, and rewilding projects across Devon and Cornwall.
We specialise in understanding how water moves across land — rainfall, runoff, infiltration, and seasonal wetness — and translating that into practical, nature-led designs for wildlife ponds, scrapes, wetlands, swales, and regenerative land systems.
Our work helps clients:
- Work with water rather than against it
- Reduce erosion, flooding, and summer drought stress
- Increase biodiversity and habitat connectivity
- Produce funding-ready plans for grants and planning
If you’re dealing with wet ground, springs, runoff, or poor drainage — or you’re planning a wildlife pond or rewilding project — a hydrology-led approach is the most robust place to start.
What is a hydrology report?
A hydrology report analyses how water behaves across a site, including:
- Rainfall patterns
- Surface water flow paths
- Infiltration and soil behaviour
- Seasonal wetness and waterlogging
At Sasaquatics, we use this analysis to identify where ponds, scrapes, wetlands, or swales will work naturally within the landscape — without unnecessary drainage, pumping, or hard engineering.
Our reports focus on feasibility, suitability, and resilience, giving you clarity before committing to construction or funding applications.
Each report is proportionate to the site, its constraints, and its funding or planning context.
What’s included in a Hydrology & Water Feature Design Report
Every project is tailored, but most reports include the following:
Site Hydrology Assessment (Devon & Cornwall)
- Catchment and contour mapping using LiDAR and GIS
- Interpretation of rainfall, runoff, and infiltration
- Identification of seasonal wet areas, springs, and flow routes
- Constraints mapping (slopes, erosion risk, access, sensitivity)
This establishes how water already behaves on your land.
Pond, Scrape & Wetland Feasibility Design
- Identification of suitable locations for wildlife ponds, scrapes, and wetlands
- Indicative sizing, depth ranges, and edge profiles
- Guidance on natural sealing and lining options, including plastic-free GCL liners
- High-level overflow and spillway principles for extreme rainfall events
Designs are provided at concept level, suitable for budgeting, funding bids, and early planning discussions.
Swales, Contour Features & Water-Slowing Options
Where appropriate, we assess:
- Shallow swales and contour drains
- Leaky features to slow and spread water
- Integration with pasture, silvopasture, tree planting, or meadows
- Erosion-control principles for sloping or sensitive land
The emphasis is always on low-intervention, landform-led solutions.
Ecology & Habitat Integration
- How water features support biodiversity and habitat connectivity
- Integration with meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges, and pollinator corridors
- High-level wetland and marginal planting guidance
This ensures ponds and wetlands function as part of a wider living system.
Cost Ranges & Funding-Ready Roadmap
- Indicative construction cost ranges for different feature types
- Phasing options for staged delivery
- Clear next steps: surveys, permissions, or detailed design
- Funding alignment summary and evidence readiness
Funding and grant support
Our hydrology reports are commonly used to support applications to:
- ELMS Local Nature Recovery
- Rewilding Britain Innovation Fund
- Cornwall Climate & Nature Fund
- Local Catchment Partnership programmes
Funders expect realistic costs and site-appropriate design. Our reports are structured to meet those expectations without over-engineering.
Typical projects we work on
- 5–15 acres – smallholdings, community land, CICs, therapeutic landscapes
- 15–50 acres – regenerative farms, rewilding projects, eco-tourism sites
Typical outputs may include:
- Rain-fed wildlife ponds (200–600 m²)
- Scrapes and wet meadow areas
- Swales and water-slowing features
Timescale: usually 2–3 weeks from site visit to final report.
How much does a hydrology report cost?
Hydrology & Water Feature Design Reports start from £1,400 (including VAT).
This typically includes:
- Desktop hydrology analysis and GIS mapping
- Site visit and interpretation
- Concept-level pond, wetland, or swale designs
- Indicative costing and funding-readiness summary
Larger or more complex sites are priced individually following an initial discussion.
Why choose Sasaquatics?
- Local expertise – deep understanding of Devon and Cornwall soils, geology, and rainfall
- Rewilding-led approach – practical, ecological, and low-intervention by default
- Funding-aware design – structured to support grants and planning
- Implementation experience – we design what we know can be built
Can you build the ponds and wetlands as well?
Yes. Sasaquatics provides both consultancy and hands-on implementation.
Following a hydrology report, we can deliver:
- Pond and scrape excavation
- GCL liner installation
- Swale and earthwork construction
- Habitat creation and ecological planting
Design and construction can remain separate or form a seamless next phase.
Is a hydrology report right for my site?
This service is ideal if you:
- Have wet or seasonally waterlogged land
- Want to build a wildlife pond or wetland properly
- Are applying for funding and need credible costs
- Want clarity before committing to groundworks
If you’re simply looking for a quick excavation quote, this may not be the right starting point.
Get started
Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.
We’ll review your site using mapping tools (including DEFRA’s MAGIC map), discuss your goals and constraints, and advise whether a hydrology report is the right next step.
Areas we cover
We work primarily across Devon and Cornwall, generally within 1.5 hours of Moretonhampstead, including:
- Dartmoor fringes
- Totnes, Exeter, Crediton, Tavistock
- Bodmin Moor, Truro, St Austell, Launceston
- Fal, Tamar, Fowey, and Teign catchments
We occasionally take on larger, high-impact projects elsewhere where water restoration and rewilding are central.
What is a hydrology report, and why do I need one?
A hydrology report analyses how water moves across your land — including rainfall, infiltration, runoff, and drainage patterns.
At Sasaquatics, we use this information to design ponds, swales, and wetlands that capture water efficiently, prevent erosion, and support biodiversity. It ensures your investment in pond or rewilding works is resilient and well-planned within the wider landscape.
How much does a hydrology report cost?
For most sites in Devon or Cornwall (10–25 acres), our Hydrology & Water Feature Design Report starts from £1400.
This includes catchment analysis, GIS mapping, rainfall-runoff calculations, pond and swale design, planting plans, and funding guidance for schemes such as ELMS Local Nature Recovery and Rewilding Britain Innovation Fund.
Do you only work in Devon and Cornwall?
Our focus area is Devon and Cornwall, including Totnes, Truro, Tavistock, Exeter, Bodmin, Perranporth, and surrounding areas — generally within 1.5 hours of Moretonhampstead.
However, we occasionally take on larger or high-impact projects across southern England where rewilding and water restoration are central to the design.
Can you design and build the ponds as well?
Yes. Sasaquatics offers both consultancy and hands-on implementation.
After your hydrology report is complete, we can carry out excavation, GCL liner installation, swale formation, and ecological planting — ensuring design and construction align perfectly.
Will my project qualify for funding or grants?
Quite possibly. Most landowners in Devon and Cornwall are eligible for one or more environmental support schemes, including:
ELMS – Local Nature Recovery (habitat creation & hydrology improvements)
Rewilding Britain Innovation Fund
Cornwall Climate & Nature Fund / Catchment Partnerships
We identify the best match and provide the mapping and evidence base required for applications.
What types of sites do you work with?
We work with a wide range of clients including private landowners, smallholders, farmers, community groups, and conservation charities.
Our projects range from 5-acre regenerative smallholdings to 100-acre farm clusters — anywhere water and wildlife need to be reconnected.
What’s included in a hydrology report?
Each report includes:
Site assessment and catchment mapping
Rainfall–runoff calculator and infiltration study
Pond, swale, and wetland layout designs
Overflow and erosion control planning
Native planting and habitat enhancement plan
Funding and implementation roadmap
All mapping and designs are GIS-based and ready for grant submissions or build tendering.
How long does it take to complete a report?
Typically 2–3 weeks from confirmed instruction, depending on weather, data collection, and design complexity.
We can also fast-track for funding deadlines when needed.
Do you use sustainable or plastic-free materials?
Yes — where possible, we use Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL) instead of plastic liners.
These natural, durable materials seal ponds effectively while aligning with regenerative and low-impact construction principles.
Can a hydrology report support planning permission or eco-house applications?
Absolutely. Our reports can be used as supporting evidence for planning applications under Cornwall’s Policy AL1 or similar sustainability frameworks, especially where water management and habitat creation are part of the proposal.
What’s the first step?
Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation.
We’ll review your site on mapping tools (e.g. DEFRA’s MAGIC map) and discuss project goals, potential pond locations, and available funding. From there, we can provide a formal proposal and timeline.
What areas of Devon and Cornwall do you cover?
We regularly work in:
Devon: Moretonhampstead, Totnes, Exeter, Crediton, Tavistock, Dartmoor fringes
Cornwall: Truro, Perranporth, St Austell, Bodmin, Launceston, and the Fal and Fowey catchments
