Rivers LBAP

Rivers and Streams - Cotswold Water Park ('97-'07)


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Gloucestershire

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Cotswold Water Park Action Plan

Key factors

Extent/Distribution

There are at least 66.5 km of river and stream habitat in the Cotswold Water Park as the following significant water courses cross the area:- Swill Brook, River Thames, River Churn, Ampney Brook, Marston Meysey Brook and the River Coln. In addition there are a number of minor water courses. It is a natural characteristic of water courses draining the limestone and valley gravels to the north of the Cotswold Water Park to be subject to low flows in summer and the downstream movement of the head of the stream. The Environment Agency's monitoring of rivers in the Upper Thames Catchment shows that generally water quality is very good to fair (NRA 1995).

Unnaturally low flows as a result of human activity may be a problem for several rivers in the area including the River Thames, Ampney Brook and the lower Churn. The fish population is not as good as might be expected from their ecology and this may be related to low flows. The flows of all the rivers in the Cotswold Water Park are the subject of much local concern and demand for action.

Threats

Most of the factors listed above are also operational in the Cotswold Water Park, including

Water Abstraction

There are significant groundwater abstractions at:-
- Latton
- Baunton
- Meysey
- Hampton

These abstractions may be exacerbating the effects of recent droughts leading to low flows in the area, as the abstraction constraints at Baunton and Meysey Hampton may be entirely inadequate.

Flooding Localised

flooding provides opportunities for the interchange of species between rivers and lakes in the Cotswold Water Park

River Engineering

The majority of main rivers have been engineered to some extent and this has significantly affected the habitat.

Industry and Development

This has had many influences including: á influencing the courses of local streams and rivers á pollution á gravel extraction has created lakes which may be subject to high evaporative losses. This may reduce groundwater levels which can exacerbate low flows.

River Management

In the past river management to enhance land drainage and to improve fisheries has removed important plant and animal species. Conversely, the pollarded trees which typically line watercourses in the area, lack management.

Sewage treatment.

An investigation of the microbiology of the Upper Thames between 1991 and 1994 identified high levels of bacteria downstream of Ashton Keynes Sewage Works. This has been identified as a problem by the Upper Thames Catchment Management Plan. (EA 1995).

Action Plan Objectives

1) To reduce and improve on the adverse ecological impacts which result from water abstraction in rivers and streams in the area. Target date 2010.

Rationale: Rivers flows which are adversely impacted by abstraction have a deleterious effect on the river habitats.

2) Maintain existing water quality where it is high (A or B grade in general water quality assessment) and by 2010 improve the water quality of streams of poorer quality than B by 1 category at least.

Rationale: Rivers which have poor water quality support less biodiversity.

3) To maintain and enhance the quality of the channel and river habitat (including associated tree cover and particularly pollards) in the Cotswold Water Park. Target date 2002

Rationale: The Cotswold Water Park is an valuable wetland area, and the rivers running through it are important wildlife habitats in their own right and can also act as wildlife corridors. Measures to maintain and improve the river habitat should therefore be a priority. The River Corridor Survey provides the baseline data for identification of habitats and areas which require enhancement.

Action Plan Targets

[see above]

Current Action

[no information currently available]

Proposed Action

Policy and legislation

none

Management

Site Management

Use the river corridor surveys to inform on improvements to channel and riparian habitats.

LEAD: EA
PARTNERS: Landowners
TARGET: 1999

To implement the creation of buffer strips through, for example, set-aside.

LEAD: MAFF
PARTNERS: EA
TARGET: 2005

Carry out planned improvements to sewage treatment works.

LEAD: Thames Water Utilities
PARTNERS: EA
TARGET: 2005

Research and monitoring

Research and Monitoring

Assess the impacts of abstraction on local river flows and pending the results of these existing and planned studies, rigorously pursue reductions if the abstractions can be shown to be causing significant ecological damage over and above that of natural low flows.

LEAD: EA
PARTNERS: abstractors
TARGET: 2005

Identify areas of relatively good habitat quality using the existing river corridor surveys.

LEAD: EA
TARGET: 1998

Commission new river corridor surveys where information is lacking.

LEAD: EA
TARGET: 1998

Continue to monitor chemical water quality, aquatic invertebrates and fish populations.

LEAD: EA
TARGET: ongoing

Education and awareness raising

none

Progress

no information currently available