How Do We Use the Dee? Management, Farmers Can Help to Improve Well As Bottled Water and Whisky Businesses

Farming is widespread, especially in the The Dee supplies domestic water for The mouth of the Dee forms Aberdeen lower catchment. By practising sustainable Aberdeen and over half of Aberdeenshire as harbour, one of the busiest in the UK, How do we use the Dee? management, farmers can help to improve well as bottled water and whisky businesses. and home to a range of wildlife including water quality, reduce flood risk and provide These abstractions need to be managed to otters and dolphins. Controls on noise, important habitats for wildlife. minimise stress on the river during low flows. lighting and pollution enable migrating Peatlands are important water and carbon Careful management of the catchment’s salmon to enter the river all year round. stores, support unique flora and fauna, and forestry is essential to minimise erosion sustain a range of recreational activities. and protect the river from sediment run off. Restoring peatlands towards good condition is essential for climate regulation and protecting water supplies.

edge of catchment

over 300 metres

under 300 metres

The catchment’s expanding population brings a demand for more housing. Associated construction works, sealed surfaces, The River Dee is home to a wide range drainflow and water demand can of flora and fauna, and is designated affect water quality and quantity, as a Special Area of Conservation for and its flow through the catchment. internationally important populations The River Dee and the surrounding of freshwater pearl mussel, salmon countryside is a vibrant base for The Dee is internationally famous for its We depend on the Dee for waste water and otter. Their survival depends on a tourism and outdoor pursuits. Raising salmon and sea trout fishery attracting disposal. Treated effluent is usually healthy river system. awareness of the harm caused by large numbers of visitors each year. discharged but during heavy rain untreated How are we working to reduce erosion, litter, fires and sanitation helps Managing the catchment sustainably is waste can enter the river directly. Septic the impacts of these activities? to reduce their impacts on the river. essential for a healthy fish population. tank inputs are also an issue.  Managing the catchment Dee Catchment Partnership

Who are we? Chairman: The Dee Catchment Partnership is a collaboration of Major General John Barr CB CBE organisations who have been working together since theriverdee.org 2003 to ensure that the waters of the Dee catchment Partners: are used in a wise, integrated and sustainable way. Aberdeen City Council . Aberdeen Harbour Board Aberdeenshire Council . Cairngorms National Park Why manage the catchment? Authority . Cairngorms Nature . Cairngorms Outdoor The catchment’s high quality water resources give great Access Trust . Dee District Salmon Fishery Board value to local communities, businesses and wildlife, Dee Salmon Fishery Improvement Association and are a central asset underpinning much of the rural Forestry Commission Scotland . James Hutton Institute economy. These waters are strongly affected by how Marine Scotland Science . National Farmers’ Union we all use and manage the catchment and it is vital that Scotland . National Trust for Scotland we work together to protect them. North East Scotland Biodiversity Partnership River Dee Trust Royal Society for the Protection of Birds What are we doing? . Scotland’s Rural College Scottish Enterprise Our priorities are: improving morphology (the form of . Scottish Environment Protection Agency river-beds and -banks), reducing diffuse pollution (the Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections cumulative imacts of numerous dispersed pollution Division . Scottish Land & Estates . Scottish Natural sources), reducing flood risk, and protecting and restoring habitats for flora and fauna. Heritage . Scottish Water . Scottish Wildlife Trust

Our work includes: Contact: • Coordinating water-related activities in the Dee Catchment Partnership catchment. c/o James Hutton Institute • Securing funding and delivering projects on the Craigiebuckler ground. Aberdeen AB15 8QH • Raising awareness of the main problems and 01224 395141 available solutions. [email protected] • Providing a central source of advice and information. theriverdee.org

Our 37 Objectives are listed in full in the Dee Catchment Management Plan, which can be downloaded from Funders: theriverdee.org and is available at libraries throughout the catchment. Copies are available from us on request.

How can you take part? The sustainable management of this area is important to us all and everyone has a part to play, from environmental management agencies to land owners, and managers, and communities within the catchment. See theriverdee.org for the things that you can do to make a difference.

Photo: Steve Addy