Quick viewing(Text Mode)

The River Severn

The River Severn

NRA Severn-Trent 65

THE SEVERN

NRA

National Authority E n v ir o n m e n t Ag e n c y

NATIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICE

HEAD OFFICE

Rio House. Waterside Drive. Aztec West. . BS32 4UD

EnvrfofHtteM Agency

Ktfdrmation C aitre

H ead G ltioe Glass N o...... Accession No .b.M.l.

0 5 5 5 4 1 National Rivers Authority

THE

The River Severn’s name is said to have been receive water taken from the River Severn. Bending north-easterly, about eight

derived from Sabrina - a tragic water nymph Water is also piped to from its kilometres funher on the river reaches

reputed to have drowned in its waters. In its tributary, the Vyrnwy. Principal tributaries where the river is crossed by an

upper reaches of it is known by its of the Severn are the Vyrnwy, , . The rivers Trannon and

Welsh name of Afon Hafren. Stour, Teme, Warwickshire join the Severn upstream of , where

A unique river in many ways, the clcan , Lcadon Fromc, Salwarpc and the river is crossed by a stone bridge.

fast-flowing Severn is a first class riveralong W orfe. Caersws is the meeting place of five roads

its whole length. Set in a pastoral A HISTORIC RIVER and so was an im p o rtan t R om an station.

background of picturesque countryside and The source of the River Severn is on the Flowing past Newtown in the Vale of

rolling hills, its natural

drainage area, river basin

or catchment covers

11,420 square kilometres

(4,410 square miles) with a

population of only 2.5 -? million. Most of the

population live in larger

towns, particularly

Wolverhampton and

Dudley in the western

half of the .

Other large towns and

cities within the catch­

ment include ,

Shrewsbury, Rugby,

Worcester, ,

Cheltenham, , The source of the River Severn and

Stroud. Although the 338 kilometres of the north-eastern slopes of Bryn-Cras, one of Powys, the Severn receives the only river

River Thames make it the longest river the peaks of Pumlumon Fawr () which flows from into , the

flowing entirely in England, the Severn, on the western border of Powys just 25 kms Camlad near .

from its Welsh source to its outflow in the from . It is only three kms The Severn travels on past to

Bristol Channel, is 354 kilometres long, from the source of the and 610 . Here, Offa’s Dyke approaches

level. the river before disappearing for eight kms

Severn reaches , and then reappearing near . From

for the to\Vns, citics and** surrounding ^£^>£ut 19 km farther on, it has dropped 457 Llandrinio the river turns east towards the

areas of , , metres. Here the river is joined by the Dulas English border. One of the Severn’s most

Birmingham^ ^Cpventry, . Worcester, and the Clywedog from the beautiful tributaries, the Vyrnwy, enters the

Gloucester a&d Bristol. Six million p c ^ p je ^ ■ Severn just over the border. A number of __-■» - + ...... National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

other tributaries join the Severn in worship before a church was built. toll bridge ranged from two shillings (1 Op)

Shropshire, of which the main ones are An iron bridge over the river at for every coach and six, to one old halfpenny the Perry, Tern and Worfe. was built by . Buildwas for a pedestrian. Practically the w hole area is

Almost completely encircled by the Severn, was founded in 1195 by Cistercians now under the guardianship of the

Shrewsbury was an ideal site for a settlement and much of it still remains. The Abbey Gorge Museum Trust and because it was naturally defended from acquired loading facilities for at ironwork can still be seen in windowsills and attackers. Called around 300 AD, as well as permission for the frames, chimney pots and railings. it grew and became the capital of the area of monks to dip their sheep. The gorge is prone to landslips and one

Wales called Powis. So important was it, After the the rising waters of Lake in the late 1880’s blocked the river at that in the Domesday Buildwas.

Book it was called a city. Down the river at

Shrewsbury became a C oalport there is a wealthy and important wooden bridge which was town thanks to its built in 1770 and has position, navigable river been strengthened several and close business links times with cast-iron ribs. with Wales. Roger de Before it enters

Montgomery, who was the Severn is created 1st Earl of joined by the Worfe. Set

Shrewsbury by William on sandstone cliffs, High the Conqueror, erected Town towers over Low

Shrewsbury Castle. Town set on the river.

The river enters Caves in the were

Shrewsbury under the once used to store

Welsh Bridge, rebuilt in Bridgnorth’s famous

1791, and leaves it on the Cave Ale. eastern side under the The , which was Railway links Bridgnorth

rephccd in 1769 by John Gwynne. That Lapworth, on what is now the to and keeps close to the banks of

same year he also built a bridge at Plain, overspilled the hills of Ironbridge and the river for much of the distance. The line

on the site of many previous . The a gorge. This laid bare , limestone, crosses the Severn downstream of Upper

River Tern joins the Severn at Atcham. and ironstone in the rocks - all the Arley by the Victoria Bridge. Twice as long

At Cressage, Thomas Telford’s timber ingredients which were to make as the Iron Bridge, this cast-iron bridge was

bridge has been replaced with a ferro­ of the valley possible. designed by Thomas Telford and built by

concrete one. Cressage was a Saxon settle­ At Ironbridge the river flows under the the designer of the Forth Bridge in ,

ment with fishing rights in the river at famous bridge itself. The first iron bridge in Sir John Fowler.

Domesday. Its name means “Christ’s Oak” the world, it was cast in , Bewdley was a sanctuary for fugitives from

which is thought to indicate that it was a completed in 1779, erected in 1780 and has both Shropshire and Worcestershire for

place where early Christians met for a span of 30 metres. Charges for this private many years. Because each of the

2 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

laid claim to it, it was neutral territory until the eastern passing locks and docks around Worcester and Gloucester. The present finally allotted to Worcestershire in 1544. the basin of the and Worcester Upton bridge was built in 1939.

Telford’s stone bridge at Bewdley replaced a canal. Past Worcester the river is joined by Just downstream at Ripple, Prince Maurice, five arched bridge which succumbed to the its second longest tributary, the Teme, not the nephew of Charles I, defeated the great flood of 1795. The and far from Worcestershire Cricket Parliamentarian General, Sir William Waller

Worcestershire Canal, built in 1787, was Club’s ground. during the Civil War. It was to prove the last intended to go to Bewdley but the lack of In 1985 a new bridge was opened just below Royalist victor)' of the war. local interest resulted in it going to the where the Teme joins the Severn. At the The M50 motorway crosses the river a few of Stourmouth instead. eastern end of the bridge, which forms part kilometres further on and is known as the

The hamlet grew and became Stourport, but by 1870 when the present bridge was built the town was in decline due to the coming of the railway and the opening of the Birmingham and

Worcester Canal. At

Stourport the Severn receives the Stour and r L j S i ' v - ' 'TO*- beiow Stourport the river is navigable at all tim es thanks to a series of weirs which hold up the water level.

There are more locks and a weir at Holt Fleet and Bewdley another of Telford’s bridges, built in 1828. Grimlcy village of the southern link by-pass for Worcester, Queenhill Viaduct. contains the remains of a Roman Fort. a viewing platform has been built with At the river passes under the

Worcester grew up around the lowest panels describing the in which was built by Telford in

Severn ford to be normally unaffected by the Civil War. 1826 to replace a . the and Bore. It also lies on the old Until 1985, for the whole stretch of the river The Warwickshire Avon joins the Severn at

Roman road from Glevum (Gloucester) to between Worcester and Upton there were Tewkesbury. The Avon has been divided by

Salinae (Droitwich), where the Romans no bridges. During the Civil War, and in locks, islands and a weir so the northern obtained their salt. King John, who died in other emergencies, temporary construc­ branch, the Old Avon, flows down into the

1216, is buried in . tions resting on boats were used to allow Severn above Upper Lode and the southern

At the river divides around an island, people to cross. In the mid-!6th century a end, known as Mill Avon, at Lower Lode. the western branch going over the weir and bridge at Upton was the only one between Throughout the centuries, building in National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

Tewkesbury has been conditioned by the estuarine and tidal. After it is joined by the was a town of importance from the flooding of the rivers and so the town has River Wye at , the Severn when a hill fort was built in what remained Y-shaped and constricted. is known as the . is now . The Romans also built

Haw Bridge at Tirley replaced a bridge Near Westbury, low tide reveals stretches of within its ramparts. Up to the 17th century, which had three cast-iron arches and was sand and mud which are cut by once ships could reach wharves quite close to the destroyed when a 200 ton ship struck it in navigable channels. church but the river changed course and a

1958. Newnham’s short prosperity in the late canal had to be cut to Lydney Pill. Once a

Gloucester started life as a Roman outpost 18th century depended mainly on river tidal basin had been created and a tram road

called Glevum. The “ceaster? trade. Canal links between the opened, Lydney became the chief Forest of

fro m w h ich “c e s te r” is Dean . Lydney docks

taken, means “Roman date from 1813 and trade

fortV After the Romans reached its peak in the late

left, the moved in 19th century since when

and by the time the it has steadily declined.

Normans arrived it was ’s Saxon char­

a prosperous town ters go back to the 10th

containing 10 churches. century and give a

Edward II is buried in detailed picture of a large,

Gloucester Cathedral. carefully organised settle­

Gloucester was the lowest ment. It owned more than

point at which the river 60 weirs on the

c o u ld b e b rid g ed and th ere Severn and 20 on the Wye.

has been a bridge here The famous Severn

since at least the 12th Bridge crosses from

century. , to Beachley on the site of

built by Telford in 1825, a ferry crossing which

has been by-passed by a goes back to pre-Roman Tewkesbury weir modern bridge. times. Part of the M4, it

Despite the quays along the Severn being and killed this trade early in the was built in 1966.

developed by Romans, Saxons and 19th century. Just south of the town is In 1886 the was completed.

Normans, Gloucester was not chartered as Bullo Pill, a which was first Running between and

a port until the reign of Elizabeth I. The used for boat building and later developed as , it is the longest railway tunnel

present port includes the enclosed City a wet for the export of in Britain and three and a half of its six and

Dock, the Gloucester and Canal, C oal. a half kms are under the river bed.

opened in 1827 and, 26 kms further south, To the west of Frampton the Sharpness

the Ocean Dock at Sharpness. The Canal is crossed by Splatt Bridge. The WATER QUALITY

Sharpness Canal enabled vessels to bypass Severn is almost at its widest here and The River Se\’em is an important source of

the tidal estuary. on the west bank, like domestic water supply for surrounding

Below Gloucester, the Severn becomes on the east, is half surrounded by water. areas, the and Bristol - six

4 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

depend on information from many points ground on the inside of a narrow-necked been reduced flood water flows on until it along the Severn. Rainfall records, radar loop in the river. Over the years develop­ reaches a point where it can overspill. screens, river levels, expcctcd abstractions ment has encroached into this A major flood of a magnitude which would and weather forecasts are all closely and now extensive areas are subject to happen on average only once in any 200 examined at the NRA’s flow forecasting flooding. The NRA is investigating a years occurred in 1947. Since the 1950’s centre in before the decision to possible flood alleviation scheme for the major floods of a smaller magnitude release water is taken. town which could protect 400 properties. happened in 1960, 1965, 1968, 1981, 1989

In Worcester the height of the floods of an d 1990. F looding has not always been

FLOODING 1672, 1770 and 1795 arc recorded on the regarded as a disaster. Worcestershire

The Severn is subject to C o u n ty C rick et ground is flooding which can result claimed to be one of the in a w ater level rise of finest in the country around six metres above precisely because it is normal on the lower, flooded by the Severn reaches of the non-tidal almost every winter. part of the river. The Many riverside fields maximum tidal variation known as flood meadows, at can be 15 or hams, are deliberately m etres which is far greater allowed to flood and they than any other river in the act as overspill

British Isles. In the world for flood water. Without it is only exceeded by the them, the flood would be

Bay of Fundy in even more devastating

Canada. further downstream.

Flooding on the Severn is Between Worcester and not a reccnt phenomenon Tewkesbury, the flood­ but a natural occurrence. plain varies between 800 Worcestershire County Cricket Ground, 1990 The Romans had to and 1600 metres wide. protect their forts at Forden and Caersws walls near the Cathedral and in 1795, 16 The stretch between Tewkesbury and with embankments and in 1969 and 1972 bridges in Shropshire were demolished by Gloucester is also affected by tides and in respectively Caersws and Newtown were th e flood. some places the floodplain is more than two protected by new flood defences. Before Worcester lies on both sides of the Severn kilometres wide. this they had suffered frequent and serious and there are areas of natural floodplain on Although serious flooding is not a frequent flooding. both*banks which have been built on over event in Gloucester, urban areas are flooded

Sometimes close to the river the centuries. This has led to considerable when adverse river and tidal conditions maintained flood walls with church funds flooding problems, not only for those occur and also from tributaries passing but many places simply accepted the properties built on the floodplain but also through the eastern side of the city. Major inevitable. for many others further downstream. floods happened here in 1947, 1960, 1965

Shrewsbury was originally built on high Because the natural flood storage area has and 1990.

8 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

million consumers. Ii is also used solved by 1996 when a new works flood relief in the upper reaches of the

extensively for agricultural purposes, will be in operation. Severn. During the summer when levels in

particularly spray irrigation, and is used in Regular samples are taken from a number of the river are low, water is released to bolster

some industrial processes such as cooling at points on the Severn and its tributaries to the flow and so help ensure that water

Ironbridge power station. ensure water quality is not declining and to supplies are always available to six million

In 1991 over 500 megalitres (Ml) (110 detect any incidents not visible to consum ers.

million gallons) were taken from the river the naked eye. All discharges are also is a direct supply for

each day. Under normal weather conditions regularly sampled and if they do not meet Liverpool and is owned by

this is expected to rise to over 600 Ml (132 the consent conditions laid down in their Water. It is situated at the head of the River

mg) by the year 2001.

A lth o u g h th e Severn is a

first class river for quality

through- out its length,

some of its tributaries are

not such top quality.

P ollution is a problem in

the Worcestershire Stour

which drains the

industrial area to the west

of Birmingham and

although this has an

impact, the Severn’s huge

size means it quickly

recovers.

The Warwickshire Avon

is affected by large

volumes of effluent from Llyn Clywedog Rugby and Coventry

sewage works and cannot be used for public licence the NRA can prosecute. Vyrnwy and can also release water into the

water supply other than upstream of REGULATING THE RIVER river when requested by the NRA.

Rugby. Llyn is managed on The Shropshire Scheme in the

The is affected by the behalf of the NRA for regulating the River north of the county also helps maintain \ discharge of over 50 Ml (11 mg) daily of Severn. The is 72 metres high and was flows in the Severn. During dry periods

=ttled sewage from Gloucester. This means built on the River Clywedog upstream of water can be pumped from the sandstone I - is a reduction of dissolved oxygen Llanidloes in the 1960’s. It has a surface area into the river. It is being developed in r. downstream and significant of 250 hectares and can hold 50,000 Ml phases; the first one came into use during

co, ations of ammonia. Talks are under (11,000 mg) of water. the extremely dry weather of 1984. By 1990

way wit. Severn Trent Water to stop this The reservoir retains excess flows in the its output was 80 Ml (17.6 mg) a day.

happening and the problem should be winter which gives a very limited degree of Regulating releases from all three sources

5 Natio?7 al Rivers Authority National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN THE RIVER SEVERN

OXFORDSHIRE

Kilometres

6 7 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

In 1852 the floor of church was realised that the benefits a reservoir worsen flooding for existing property. had to be raised by more than a metre could give centred on regulation of the river FLOOD EMERGENCIES because the floods did so much damage. for water supply purposes. Flooding would The NRA operates a flood forecasting and

Below Gloucester the river is affected more not be reduced by much because of the large warning service throughout the length of by tidal conditions. On the lower reaches of number of tributaries coming in all down the Severn and most of its major tributaries, the non-tidal part of the river, the rise is the length of the Severn. from its regional flow forecasting centre in often six metres. Between Gloucester and Avonmouth the Solihull and area offices in Shrewsbury and

In the estuary the large , together NRA is carrying out a £25 million scheme to Tewkesbury. Data on river levels, weather with south-westerly winds, can mean waves improve the flood defences and give some forecasts and radar pictures are all used with overtop the flood defences. Weather conditions can also mean variations of predicted high tide levels by more than two metres.

When, in 1883, a tidal wave reached the railways at and flooded the workings of the

Severn Tunnel, the men had to be rescued quickly by moonlight.

FLOOD ALLEVIATION

Many people believed that the flooding enriched the land and made it more Flood defence work between Gloucester and Avonmoulh fertile. They advocated flood gates which could be opened in winter protection from tidal surges. These are computer models to provide an up to date and closed in summer whenever there was mainly flood walls and earth banks along a picture of what will happen at given a danger of crops being washed away. 70 kms stretch of the Severn. The 20 year stretches of the river in the following 48

Thomas Telford decided the answer was scheme should be completed in 1999 and hours. reservoirs in which will give better protection to 8,000 people Tidal reaches cannot yet be accurately would conserve water when rainfall was and help protect 19,000 hectares of forecast because of all the unpredictable sea high and release it into the river when levels farm land. and weather changes that can occur. Only were too low for proper navigation. He In conjunction with Local Authority the small township of is given made his proposals in 1803. planning departments, the NRA seeks to tidal flooding warnings and this sometimes

In 1964 construction of the Clywedog prevent any new developments which might cannot be done more than two hours before reservoir above Llanidloes began. By then it be subject to flooding or which might the event. The NRA is investigating means

9 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

of improving these forecasts by making for agricultural spray irrigation. the most favourable conditions the Severn greater use of data on water levels and winds In the upper reaches of the river, above the Bore may reach two metres in height, but

further out into the Bristol Channel. Wesley Brook, little or no summer flow opposing winds or high freshwater levels

The pass on NRA flood warnings to occurs and farmers in the upper catchment can reduce this considerably. the general public and they are normally are having difficulties in taking their The average speed of the bore is I6kms an

given a minimum of four hours notice for all licensed amount from the river. hour and a high bore may reverse the flow places on the Severn below Caersws except Solutions to the problems in the upper of the river as far up as Tewkesbury , 2 1 in the tidnl reaches. reaches will be difficult and costly and all km above Gloucester. At times of low river

An NRA emergency workforce ensures that possibilities are being investigated by the flow a rise in water level is noticeable as far

all upstream as Diglis Lock

structures and defences at Worcester. The true

are operating correctly bore does not occur

during a flood and that upstream of Gloucester

bridges are kept dear of because of weirs on the

floating debris. twin-armed channel near

the city.

LOW FLOW S Popular viewing points

The , north of for the bore are

Bridgnorth is included in Minsterworth, Stone-

a national study by the bench and Over Bridge

NRA on low flows in and the NRA publishes

rivers. These are caused an annual timetable

not only by lack of for these points.

rainfall but also by over­ The less spectacular

abstraction and many of incoming tide and nascent

the problems are caused bore can be seen in the

by long standing upper estuary at places Bridgnorth abstraction:; for public such as , Newnham

water supply, some of which started in the NRA to ensure that any solution does not and .

last century. These problems are now being cause further problems.

ad d ressed . NAVIGATION

The Worfe is 32 kms long and has a river For centuries the Severn was the most

basin area of 260 sq kms. Sherwood The Severn Bore is a famous tidal wave important river for traffic to and from the

Sandstones dominate the area and the which occurs in the lower reaches of the West Midlands and it was almost certainly

groundwater held in these rocks has been River Severn during rising high tides, used by the Romans for trading purposes.

progressively developed for public water particularly during tides. Commercial navigation has a long history.

supplies, especially in the upper reaches. Fora bore to form, a considerable rise in tide In 1198 the Sheriff of Shropshire hired a

There are also extensive licensed and a converging channel with a rising bed, , for half a mark, to take his wife from

abstractions from the river itself - mostly forming a funnel shape, is needed. Under Bridgnorth to Gloucester. A hundred years

10 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

later Shrewsbury was importing paving remains of once busy quays and warehouses declined in recent years. stones on barges. can still be seen. Lydney, Gloucester, Although bridges, like weirs, obstructed the

In 1430 an act of Parliament confirmed that Tewkesbury, Upton, Worcester, Stourport, free passage of masted boats in the mid- the river was “The King’s Highway of the Bewdley, Bridgnorth, , , 19th century there were still some 4,000

Severn? Ironbridge, Shrewsbury and watermen and their families working on

In the 17th century, when river levels were w ere all “p o rts.” the Severn. But the building of tow paths, high enough, the Severn was navigable for Because of the rocks and , the estuary the introduction of horses and, after 1814,

250 kms below Welshpool - from Pool between Gloucester and Sharpness has the success of the steam tugs between

Quay to Bristol. Barges and carried always been particularly hazardous for Worcester and Gloucester, all began to both passengers and goods.

Barges were about 15 metres long, single masted with a square sail and could carry about 50 tons. Trows were designed to cope with the peculiarities of the

Severn, such as shifting sands, high tides and bores. Shallow, with rounded bilges, flat bottoms and masts that could be lowered at bridges, trows could be up to 18 metres in length and carry up to 80 tons. Upton on Severn Teams of men known as bow-hauliers dragged the barges and trows navigation. In 1793 an act was passed to affect their numbers. In 1862 the Severn when the sails could not be used. build a ship canal to by-pass this stretch. Valley Railway was opened. It originally

Trade on the river was considerable and by Work started on the Sharpness Canal in ran from Shrewsbury to Stourport and

1756 there were 376 vessels owned by 1794 but was not completed until 1827. At and was the final nail in the traders living between Welshpool and the time of building it was the broadest and coffin for the watermen.

Gloucester. The normal charge for carrying deepest canal in the world and is still used Nowadays, navigation on the river is

freight downstream from Shrewsbury to extensively today, being the only safe route possible only up to Stourport and is the

Bristol was 10 shillings (50p) and 15 between the River Severn and the sea. responsibility of . The shillings in the opposite direction. Sea-going vessels use the canal to carry river depth is controlled by a series of weirs

Towns on the banks of the Severn were cargoes to and from Sharpness Docks but and locks so that navigation is always

“inland ” and in many places the commercial traffic up to Gloucester has possible.

11 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

FISHERIES involved in research into the decline of the Alne, Stour, Learn, Dene, Frome, Leadon,

The top quality Severn supports almost elver and the construction of passes over Teme, , Onny, Corve, Rea, Tern, every type of British freshwater fish and at weirs and other obstructions. Roden, Perry, Meese, Vyrnwy, , one time the , a favourite food of As well as , allis shad and elvers, the Rhiw, Tanat and the Severn itself. These royalty for many centuries, was the most tidal waters of the Severn are visited by rivers and their tributaries provide a wide highly prized. Henry I is said to have died many of the more common types of variety of excellent coarse and salmon from eating too many lampreys. Salmon and saltwater fish and the more unusual fisheries from a total length of around 1700 allis shad were almost as popular as the sturgeon, lampern and twaite shad. kms. lamprey but nowadays only salmon remains Fishing on the upper Severn was affected by Some of the finest rod and line fisheries in seriously sought after. Britain can be found on

Approximately 3,000 the Severn. As well as salmon are caught barbel, chub and bream, commercially between most of the coarse fish

Gloucester and Avon- species can be found with mouth each year with roach, perch, dace, pike

1,000 being taken by rod and gudgeon the most in the rest of the river. common and rudd

Elvers, which are very common on localised numerous during the areas in spring, were traditionally and and regarded as an Worcester. The zander, a aphrodisiac. The young predator from mainland elver or glass , having Europe, has been illegally survived its migration on introduced and is now ocean currents from the established and spreading

Sargasso sea in the slowly. south-west Atlantic, Free coarse fishing is Worcester enters the river estuary in available on the Severn at vast numbers on the spring tides. Between the building o f w eirs on th e low er Severn in the NRA’s own fisheries at Llanidloes,

20 and 80 tonnes of elvers are caught each the 19th century. Although salmon could Newtown, , Citcewydd, , year by fishermen. There are 3,000 elvers to surmount them in high water, they were Coalport, Atcham, Upton and Ripple. the kilogram. impassable to many other fish. Rudimentary Contests can be booked at Atcham, Upton

Eel stocks have decreased in recent years fish passes were constructed at many weirs and Ripple. and in 1990 the NRA undertook a to allow the fish to pass. Modern fish passes restocking programme with tiny that exist at Shrewsbury weir and at and CONSERVATION were caught in the estuary early in the year Ashford weirs on the Teme. The River Severn corridor is one of the most and allowed to grow before being released A bove th e tidal reach o f the Severn all important environmental features of the

back at a size where they stood much more fishing is recreational. The principal river Welsh Borders and West Midlands.

chance of survival. The NRA is actively fisheries in the basin are the Avon, Arrow, Above the limits of navigation at Stourport,

12 National Rivers Authority

THE RIVER SEVERN

the river has retained most of its natural monitor this spread and to encourage it on and many waders, notably curlew, redshank, features, varying from shallow riffles to the Severn and the Warwickshire Avon by ringed plover and grey plover. deep pools. T here is a substantial population providing suitable habitats. This shy of the local and nationally rare Club-tailed creature was virtually wiped out in the RECREATION

Dragonfly. Waterbirds which can be seen 1950’s by pesticide pollution and habitat The River Severn and its main tributaries along the river include the colourful destruction and it retreated to the Welsh are extensively used for , boating

Kingfisher. m ountains. and fishing and there are many footpaths

Although the navigable section between Below Gloucester, the river constitutes one and public areas for walkers, picnickers and

Stourport and Gloucester is impounded by of the most valuable British . The spectators. weirs and canalised, it still supports a rich and varied wildlife. Along this part of the river a quarter of all English Lammas meadows, or hams, are found. Many of these waterside meadows are managed on a traditional system of a w inter flooding followed by a summer hay crop and subsequent grazing. This system of management goes back many centuries and has resulted in a rich flora which includes many uncommon species The Severn at Shrewsbury such as meadow saffron and narrow-leaved water dropwort. Severn estuary is not only a Site of Special From Gloucester to Stourport the Severn

The NRA is encouraging bridge designers Scientific Interest but is also recognised as is a statutory navigation and very popular to incorporate nesting areas into their an internationally important wetland site with boating enthusiasts. bridges since they are an important nesting under the Ramsar Convention. Both coarse and game fishing are enjoyed habitat for many including dippers, The white-fronted goose can be found in by thousands of anglers each week and spotted flycatchers and wagtails. large numbers and is especially important. the generally high water quality ensures

Water quality improvement in the Severn In January 1970, 7,600 were counted. That good sport throughout the river’s length. has led to the return of the otter from Wales is over half the British population and a Canoeists can enjoy the tranquillity of the to such a degree that they have now spread quarter of that in the world. Other species lower Severn or the exciting white water of to downstream of Worcester. An otter which can be found in large numbers the upper Severn when in spate. project has been set up by the NRA to include Bewick’s swan, Shelduck, wigeon

13 Headquarters: Sapphire East, 550 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, West Midlands B9I IQ T Telephone: 021-711 2324

NRA

Severn-Trent Region

Top View