APPENDIX B: Summary of restoration potential per reach along the River Test

The fieldwork informing the maps and associated tables was completed in two parts:  Between 2009 and 2012 Geodata undertook a geomorphological survey and ecological interpretation for approximately 67% of the riverine SSSI unit reach lengths. The bulk of this work was done between 2009 and 2010.  During 2012 Atkins were commissioned to complete the remainder of the walkover survey which was conducted during two separate weeks in October and November 2012 (22nd – 26th October and 5th – 7th November). The majority of the remaining 30% of the SSSI unit reach lengths were assessed for the geomorphology and ecological interpretation.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit This is a winterbourne section of the Test. The upstream limit of the reach is the source of the river with no flow. A lake has been constructed that cuts into the bedrock below the channel bed. Riparian margins in the Ash House are pasture with margins recently planted with alder. There is little or no floodplain as hill slopes come down to Test 84 T001 GeoData the edge of the channel. The channel itself is a typical shape of a winterbourne and Conserve this reach Conserve and Enhance includes some coarser materials. In the non grazed (fenced sections) the channel has marginal vegetation with trees and a less distinct channel. Downstream of the fence line the channel is heavily grazed. Flow currently starts at Polhampton with the junction of a secondary source. This section has perennial flow with slow flow dominated by groundwater and is largely vegetated with a silt bed. Channel has marginal wet woodland (mature willow) on the left bank. Bed is heavily vegetated but less dense at upstream end where the channel is shaded. Marginal wet woodland is developed a willow carr. Fine gravels are exposed in places further downstream and the channel has possibly been straightened Test 84 T002 GeoData in places through the woodland. Towards the downstream end the wet woodland lies Conserve this reach Conserve and enhance adjacent to the Polhampton Lake, a shallow lake which was reported to be old watercress beds. The bed of the lake is gravel with shallow silt cover and acts as a silt trap with mature crack willow on both banks. At the downstream end of the reach the channels become anastomosed and reflect the history as part of the watercress infrastructure. Wider channel (circa 10m) with margins mown on left bank with willow on the right Rehabilitate the channel through: bank. This section is fenced from adjacent pasture. Narrowing measures have been -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Test 84 T003 GeoData Rehabilitate undertaken but are failing in places. The bed has a lot of fine organic matter deposits. -Vegetation management through the reducing mowing/cutting regime Channel above the bridge is over-widened by circa 5m. Water now comes off the main Rehabilitate the channel through: channel through a sluice to feed this section from the old mill pond. The upstream Test 84 T004 GeoData -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Rehabilitate section is a marginal deadwater/ backwater channel and is over-wide for current flow but is re-adjusting by depositing bars.

This reach is downstream of Ovington Mill. The channel is narrowing in places. Bed Rehabilitate the channel through: has artificial materials (concrete and brick boulder) but at a small scale. Banks are Test 84 T005 GeoData largely unmanaged through this section, with no management for fisheries. Marginal -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures and maybe the Rehabilitate groynes on the right bank have trapped fines and organic matter. Ranunculus is clearly replacement of existing narrowing devices with coarse woody abundant but the banks have been grazed. debris Artificial channel – no Test 84 T006 GeoData Artificial channel. Artificial channel – no remediation possible remediation possible Artificial channel – no Test 84 T007 GeoData Artificial channel. Artificial channel – no remediation possible remediation possible Section through Overton urban area. River runs under Town Mill (recorded in Domesday book) which is now flats. There is some marginal reed present above the Rehabilitate the channel through: urban area. Through the town the channels are bordered by gardens which is often -Remove bank protection Test 84 T008 GeoData sheet piling. Below Overton Mill, the channel has coarse gravel and cobble bed with Rehabilitate some artificial materials. The right bank below the bridge is willow and mown with -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting marginal vegetation and emergent broad and narrow leaved vegetation. regime

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit This reach is modified through Overton Town and impounded upstream of a sluice for around 75 metres. In this section the left bank is Overton sports Ground and the right bank is gardens. The bank is mown along both banks downstream. Channel is heavily Rehabilitate through: modified through over-deepening and over-widening. It is a major silt trap with little flow Test 84 T009 GeoData diversity. A major sluice exists in the river creating a flow split by the sports ground. -De-silting Rehabilitate Previous attempts have been made to narrow the channel which have been -Removal or partial removal/lowering of the structure unsuccessful due to the depth of the channel.

Channel through Ovington golf course starts at upstream end as a hatch off-take from the main ponded reach. Flow has been increased through the reach. The upstream end is gravel and chalk gravel but the downstream end is silted through the private Rehabilitate reach through: grounds joining the main channel downstream of the weir on the main channel. The -Remove bank protection section through the golf course runs through managed grasslands and partially tree Test 84 T010 GeoData Rehabilitate lined, whereas in the private grounds the margins are in mature trees and with wet -Remove weirs through the reach woodland on the right bank. Edging to the channel is predominantly concrete blocks or -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting wood piling/sleepers with loss of riparian diversity and natural bank materials. Channel regime is strongly shaded. Channel in the upstream reach has a series of ornamental block stone weirs. This reach includes Southington Mill. The reach is modified through the garden of the Mill building. It has a shallow bed. The banks are mown along the left bank and wooded on the right bank through to the road. Marginal vegetation has been heavily Rehabilitate through: cut along the mown banks. Downstream from the mill the banks and garden are Test 84 T011 GeoData -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting regime Rehabilitate protected by brick/laid stone banks. Reach appears to have very limited flow variation and is over-widened both up and downstream of the Southington Lane road bridge. -Alter weed management practices However there is a clear gravel bed. All flow appears to go through the Mill with no by- pass channel evident. The reach is largely unmanaged with dense cover in places. The channel has a Test 84 T012 GeoData shallow gravel, bed and series of runs and glides with an over-widened section with Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance marginal deadwater areas. Channel is a ponded, artificial cut channel. The channel is considerably narrowed by Test 84 T013 GeoData encroaching vegetation to width of circa 1m active channel. Allow sedimentation as Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance naturally adjusting through deposition. Channel margins have a low amount of marginal vegetation. The downstream sections of the reach have extensive fines on the bed. The downstream section of reach has no Rehabilitate reach through: bed vegetation and there are some signs of fine deposition and adjustment where trees -Remove bank protection Test 84 T014 GeoData are growing into the channel and accumulating sediment and leaf litter. Channel is Rehabilitate over-widened in places to circa 15m but has marginal silts. Upstream, the channel is -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures shallower and has faster flows. Above St Mary's church road bridge both banks have -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime been mown for fisheries. The right bank is largely mown for fisheries. Channel margins have little riparian vegetation. There is little weed in this section and the bed has a high proportion of chalk rubble suggesting that there may have been dredging. Margins are generally not Rehabilitate reach by: Test 84 T015 GeoData heavily managed and have marginal silts and emergent vegetation. The right bank -Removal or partial removal or lowering of structure Rehabilitate causeway was formerly protected by sheet piling that has collapsed into the channel. -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Depth and siltation is controlled by downstream weir at the mill. There is high level of geese grazing at the margins. In this reach there have been some attempts at narrowing using coarse woody debris by staked and pinned pieces. In addition, attempts have been made to narrow the channel with hurdles. Existing alternating groynes are creating varying flow types with Rehabilitate the channel by: pools, glides and runs. The channel has a good bed vegetation cover and clean gravel -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting regime Test 84 T016 GeoData Rehabilitate bed. Groynes are trapping marginal silts and are typically vegetated. Some of the although these changes are already being undertaken. narrowing could benefit from management through the creation of a more natural margin. The bank edge is not very intensively managed although the bank top is mown on the left bank over most of the reach. SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Rehabilitate through: -Channel narrowing through re-instatement of in-channel This is a silty reach that is over-widened. There are silted bed sections above Bere Mill measures but success would be largely dependent on and Bere Mill cottages. Narrowing has been undertaken on both banks but is now only whether any alteration to the downstream structure could be partially working. The extensive modifications are generating a meandering pattern but Test 84 T017 GeoData made. This would further work already undertaken in the Rehabilitate the process has cleared riparian trees on both banks. reach.

-Removal or partial removal/lowering of the structure

Test 84 T018 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible Upper reach of the channel is highly managed. A mill in the middle section impounding Restore channel through: water upstream creating wide and deep length. Right bank is heavily managed. -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering Test 84 T019 GeoData Restore Wooded island exists in the lower part of the reach and upstream of this feature there -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures is lake on the left bank. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime An artificial section of channel through Whitchurch town which shows evidence of adjustment (varied bed) following past channel modification and so does not require Conserve this reach. Consider enhancement opportunities Test 84 T020 Atkins channel planform restoration. Some straightened reaches (channel upstream and as listed under rehabilitate the channel: Rehabilitate downstream of road bridge at NGR 44628 14796) could be narrowed by marginal - channel narrowing by marginal planting planting to improve flow diversity and the habitat in front of hard bank protection. Fulling Mill marks the downstream end of the reach. The river becomes wide and Channel narrowing could be undertaken through in-channel shallow downstream. A public footpath runs alongside the right bank. The left bank is Test 84 T021 GeoData measures but there is a need to consider public footpath Rehabilitate more natural and wooded. Two failed islands are present in the channel which has along the right bank. been constructed of willow. Various spots of faggoting with chalk infill are present. This reach flows under the A34. The fast flow supports lots of Ranunculus. Upstream Test 84 T022 GeoData Channel in good condition no action required. Conserve and enhance of hatch is Fulling Mill on the right bank. There was almost no silt in the channel. Restore the channel through: Channel is over-wide and various attempts have been made to narrow the channel Test 84 T023 GeoData -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering Restore through willow faggoting and creation of an island. Large weir exists near Tufton. -Continue channel narrowing through in-channel measures A linear wetland ditch feature with no active pressures identified. No restoration Test 84 T024 Atkins Conserve this reach. Conserve and enhance required. A short channel that cuts across floodplain that is most likely an artificial channel. Flow Rehabilitate through: Test 84 T025 GeoData is controlled by an old hatch (without board) at the upstream end. The left bank is -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting Rehabilitate heavily maintained. A fence is present se back around 5m from the left bank. regime. The channel has a diversity of flow with runs and riffles and an extensive number of backwaters. Along the left bank the channel is mown whilst the right bank is wooded. Channel could be restored through: Test 84 T026 GeoData The right bank has former watercress beds while the left bank was former water -Changes to the sluice control. Restore meadows systems. There are a variety of sluices within this reach that are remnants of the water meadow control which are generally now redundant. There have been local -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime. attempts at narrowing through the addition of deflectors. Reach has a series of small drop structures along the length using small concrete Restore the channel through: weirs. Fine sediment accumulates for a short distance behind these structures and this -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering to improve channel area is vegetated. The reach is largely managed for fisheries interests. The margins continuity throughout the reach. There is the potential to look are also cut closely on the right bank but the left bank remains as wet woodland Test 84 T027 GeoData at the removal of the old weed screen. Restore (alder). Towards the downstream end of the reach the channel has been narrowed with brushwood on the left bank by circa 2m. Old weed screen in place but is no -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures. longer used (but is not having strongly adverse impacts on the channels) because of -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting the coincident cuts along the Test. regime. Conserve and enhance. Enhancement opportunities are Reach joins the main channel at the road bridge with low gradient and silted bed with currently being reviewed on this reach and being discussed Test 84 T028 GeoData sluggish flow. Where flow has improved there is greater quantities of Ranunculus. with the Environment Agency. Conserve and enhance There is little management other than riparian cutting.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit

The reach starts upstream of sluices and then soon becomes an aqueduct over reach Conserve and enhance Test 84 T029 GeoData T032 (spring fed stream). A boardwalk is constructed on the right banks with gardens There is the potential to modify hatch control operations to Conserve and enhance on the left bank. Vegetated side bars are extensive. The reach is generally shallow, improve the channel but otherwise opportunities are limited. with fast flow, clean gravel and planted vegetated side margins. There is little that can be done given the urban context. The upstream end starts downstream of road bridge in the grounds of Testbourne manor. The river flows through gardens then over a weir that has a 1m drop. The The channel could be improved by the weir removal or partial Test 84 T030 GeoData banks become less reinforced downstream of the weir as garden changes. A partially Restore removal/lowering. submerged weir (stone blocks) is causing run flow. The substrate has clean gravels where the stream is free flowing and becomes more natural further downstream. This is a short reach that starts as a hatch and flows through estate gardens. The Test 84 T031 GeoData Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance downstream end reconnects with Test. The reach has a reasonable habitat. The reach is a very clear stream with significant quantities of coarse woody debris in channel. The upstream section has lots more emergent/submerged broad leaved Test 84 T032 GeoData Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance plants. The bed has a good gravel substrate. This is a wooded stream with good habitat. This ditch is fed by a lake. The lake is upstream of SSSI reach which has mown, re- sectioned banks. Channel is silted and choked so it is difficult to define edge. The Test 84 T033 GeoData channel is re-directed back to reach 24 at a bend and therefore most of SSSI ditch Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance does not exist – as it is now woodland. The 'source' of this ditch is the lake so as flow is controlled by this feature now intervention is deemed appropriate. The reach starts at an old log weir. Wooded on both banks and well shaded. Several similar log weirs exist along the reach. After the bridge, the left bank is alongside Restore the channel through: Test 84 T034 GeoData estate gardens. The downstream end has much better riparian vegetation with a -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering Restore wooded right bank. There is little or no fine sediment in channel. There is a good -Modify hatch control operations to enhance channel cover of Ranunculus. A meandering section of multiple channels which have natural chalk stream morphology, and no adverse pressures impacting on them. There are some sections Conserve this reach through: which connect two channels and some channel which have developed into backwater Atkins / -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures could be Test 85 T035 features with no perceptible flow. Tree lining is semi-continuous along the reach, Conserve and enhance Geodata considered locally which provides a source of woody debris to the channel. Riparian and marginal vegetation are good. However, Himalayan Balsam was evident in the woodland by the -Tackle invasive species river. The bed consists predominantly of coarse and fine gravels. Test 85 T036 Inaccessible. Inaccessible Inaccessible Restore the channel through: -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering of weirs The main channel is a series of islands in a wide reach. Banks are managed in various through the reach ways with marginal vegetation left to establish in places but cut back regularly in Test 85 T037 GeoData -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Restore others. Several weirs exist along the reach creating local impoundments. The channel is wide overall with the bed having silt accumulation in places as a result. -Vegetation management through the reducing mowing/cutting regime in appropriate locations -Riparian planting

Test 85 T038 GeoData Artificial channel. Artificial channel Artificial channel

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Channel at the upstream end is perched above the floodplain but descends over the length of this unit to join the floodplain. Large plunge pool exists below the mill weir. Longparish mill was restored in 1993-2003. Upstream end of the reach has extensive Rehabilitate through: berms that have greatly narrowed the channel and now have willow cover. On the left -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Test 85 T039 GeoData bank the channel is adjusting through deposition. Wet woodland is on both banks. Rehabilitate Marginal berms are vegetated but partially wetted due to a weir which is causing an -Vegetation management through the reducing upstream impoundment, but is also responsible for maintaining the wet woodland on mowing/cutting regime the left bank. Downstream of the footpath bridge the channel is over widened and could be narrowed. Banks are mown in places. Restore the channel through: -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering of the three Three weirs exist along this reach and all impound the channel to some extent. Tin weirs would be beneficial Test 85 T040 GeoData deflectors have been used to locally re-mobilise fine sediments and narrow the Restore channel. Little marginal vegetation due to cutting and banks are largely mown. -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures would help develop a more natural flow width and reduce the need for ad-hoc instream measures to mobilise sediment Extensive sequence of weirs along the reach. The flow comes off reach T040 through Restore the channel through: a sluice. Tin deflectors have been used to mobilise sediment downstream. The banks -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering of weirs are generally heavily managed and fenced along both banks. The bed vegetation is Test 85 T041 GeoData -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Restore sparse and with only occasional Ranunculus. There is evidence of the channel having -Grazing/poaching pressure management. It is understood been dredged in places with a submerged ledge and deep sections with deep glide that fencing may have already been undertaken on this reach flow. With the ponding behind the weirs there is a series of stepped profiles. so this action would need to be reviewed. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T042 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T043 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T044 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T045 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T046 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T047 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T048 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T049 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T050 GeoData with the Estate in future. Following consultation, these reaches have not been included in the high level actions set out in the final Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. We will seek opportunities to work Test 85 T051 GeoData with the Estate in future. Rehabilitate the channel through: -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures focusing particularly in those areas that current works have failed Channel is perched and is not connected to the floodplain. The left bank is maintained -Vegetation management through reducing mowing/cutting and the right bank is woodland. There is little fine sediment accumulating at the Test 85 T052 GeoData regime allowing margins to develop Rehabilitate margins. The bed is dominated by loose and mobile tufa up to a coarse gravel size. -Riparian planting with typical species such as willow Banks have little or no marginal vegetation. Channel is fenced all the way from stock.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Rehabilitate channel through: -Riparian planting Local enhancement works have already been undertaken through pool excavation and -Bed level raising Test 87 T053 GeoData bed re-profiling. The banks are fenced along both banks. Margins are mown. Reach Rehabilitate has a high flow diversity through enhancement works to create a dominance of pools. -Vegetation management through reducing mowing/cutting regime allowing margins to develop -Reduce dredging This reach is a ditch is in the middle of the floodplain. The bed is dominated by silt and organic matter with occasional clear fine gravels areas. The ditch side flora is grazed open pasture. The field was a former water meadow/wet pasture. There are occasional bank side willows. Marginal silts are extensive and colonised by marginal vegetation. There is occasional poaching of the banks. At the upstream end the Test 87 T054 GeoData Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance channel has been dredged with spoil on the left bank. Bed material is predominantly fines, but where the underlying bed is uncovered it is composed of fine gravels and sands. The upstream 50m is fenced off with no grazing and with corresponding change in marginal vegetation. There is low flow diversity within this ditch as single glide with dead waters. This reach is the main carrier through the floodplain pasture grassland. The reach starts at sluice with significant flow through 5 hatches that controls relative flows Restore the channel through: between reach T053 and T055. The sluice has a concrete sill that is causing partial -Removal or partial removal/lowering of weirs through the ponding upstream to the footbridge and ford. The banks have been cut and there is reach. evidence of dredging. There is evidence of the margins having been cut back and -Bed level raising Test 87 T055 GeoData material used to make up the bank margins. The reach has been fenced from livestock Restore on both banks. Enhancement works have been undertaken to create alternating pools -Reduce dredging and higher raised bed in particular locations. Pools have been excavated to circa -Riparian planting 0.5m. There is little marginal sediment. The channel is connected to the floodplain but -Vegetation management through the reducing the past bank build-up has created a low embankment. mowing/cutting regime in appropriate locations

Channel is cut into the floodplain by 1m below the level of T050. The bed material is dominated by tufa with little exposed clean gravels. There is a greater extent of the margins with silts. Some of the margins are vegetated which is encroaching into Rehabilitate the channel through: channel. The left bank is mown and right bank is sedge and wet woodland. There is -Vegetation management through reducing mowing/cutting Test 87 T056 GeoData low flow diversity in a generally deep channel. The reach has faster flow where the Rehabilitate regime along left bank and leave the right bank alone channel narrows (circa 8m wide). Banks have been built up and narrowed in the past by dredging of the bed. Where berms are occurring on the left bank these have been -Riparian planting cut back. The downstream end has less bed vegetation and some narrowing with coarse woody debris pinned to channel margins. The reach is a carrier or drain. Marginal vegetation along the right bank has been managed. Banks are fenced with drinking embankments. Banks have been made up Restore the channel through: by dredging and cutting of the channel and with imported chalk. Some bed sections -Removal or partial removal/lowering of weirs through the have fine sediment drapes but these are not deep. The reach is depleted by top Test 87 T057 GeoData reach Restore sluices below the footbridge with migration of flow through a sluice. In the upstream section the channel becomes more closely connected to the floodplain, with shallower -Vegetation management through the reducing and faster flow and evident redds. Stock is fenced in along both banks. There are a mowing/cutting regime few weirs within the reach that cause localised hydraulic impacts. The river has good flows and in-channel vegetation in this reach, but could be Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: improved by reducing cutting of marginal vegetation and reducing mowing on both Test 87 T058 Atkins -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime Rehabilitate banks. Tree planting on the right bank to provide increased cover would also be of benefit. -Riparian planting Restore channel continuity by: An artificially straightened channel which is slow flowing due to impoundment and with -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering little in-channel variation. Key restoration action would be to lower or remove the weir, Test 87 T059 Atkins Enhance the riparian zone by: Restore which currently only provides amenity value. In addition, the riparian zone on the left bank could be improved. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit There is little marginal vegetation along the reach with cutting on both banks evident. Channel whilst apparently connected to the floodplain may have been cut into the Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: floodplain and appears deeper than a natural connection might suggest. Local -Change sluice control to restore channel Test 87 T060 GeoData Restore narrowing has occurred through dumping of cobble materials. The channel is fenced -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime from livestock access along both banks. Local improvements have been made through -Alter weed cutting management practices pools excavation. Reach shows evidence of possible dredging of the channel bed and local deepening which has created local embanking. The left bank is unmanaged in the downstream Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: section while the right bank is mown. The left bank has marginal outgrowths producing -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime Test 87 T061 GeoData natural narrowing. There is little marginal silt. The old faggoting on the left bank is now Rehabilitate in disrepair. There is little marginal vegetation of the mown bank. Channel is fenced -Alter weed cutting management practices on both banks from horse pasture. Extensive evidence of swan and geese grazing in -Riparian planting the reach. Channel margin is mown on the left bank with the right bank either being urban or mature woodland. Part of the reach is managed as a fishery. Work has been Rehabilitate through: undertaken on the banks downstream of the B3420 with the left bank being re-profiled. -Riparian planting Test 87 T062 GeoData Rehabilitate Willow and hazel faggots have been pegged along the re-profiled length with the bank -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime top re-seeded with grass. The island was developed as a way of reducing the channel -Alter weed cutting management practices width. At the downstream end the channel is restricted by the bridge and pipes. This is a short reach that runs adjacent to the gardens of the Wherwell urban area. Rehabilitate through: The reach consists of mill pond, by-pass channel and immediate downstream section -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime. Test 87 T063 GeoData Rehabilitate of the mill pool and an island. Deep fast flow in mill pond with good bed level variation. -Riparian planting Banks are cut and mown. -Alter weed cutting management practices Artificial channel no Test 87 T064 GeoData Artificial channel Artificial channel no remediation possible remediation possible The reach starts below the island at Wherwell Mill. The channel is wide and is heavily Rehabilitate through: managed with a mown left bank and gardens along the right bank. The treatments Test 87 T065 GeoData -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting regime Rehabilitate along the gardened section are adversely affecting the bank structure. Bed is dominated by gravels with good Ranunculus cover. - Riparian planting This is a semi-natural reach at the upstream end of Chilbolton Common. The reach appears to have been dredged in the past but is potentially along a semi-natural Rehabilitate through: alignment and with local treatments to re-meander the reach. The left bank is mown -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Test 87 T066 GeoData for fishery access and the right bank has marginal herb and woodland. The banks are Rehabilitate higher than might be typical of the reach and the banks are showing signs of collapse. -Alter weed cutting management practices At the downstream end the channel is accumulating sediment drapes over the bed. It -Reduce dredging is fenced along both banks. This is a short section of channel. It is fast flowing with a varied bed and regular cover. The left bank has pasture. The right bank has wet secondary woodland. Both banks Rehabilitate through: are fenced and the marginal vegetation is cut. The channel has more diverse bed Test 87 T067 GeoData - Grazing/poaching pressure management Rehabilitate levels and flows than many reaches. The floodplain along the right bank is old water meadows. The upstream end of the reach has been dredged with a loss of bed gravels. The reach is locally poached by cattle. A meandering section of channel with largely good riparian habitat, which includes some shade from trees. Management along some sections of the bank at NGR 43841 13983 could be improved by not mowing so close to the channel. The channel has a varied bed and some woody debris observed. Bank protection is minimal compared to the reach length. Conserve this reach. Enhance the riparian zone by: Test 87 T068 Atkins Conserve and enhance -Vegetation management by reducing mowing regime

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Overall the river is wide in this reach but has been locally narrowed around a bend which has improved velocities. Bed is heavily covered with sediment throughout the Rehabilitate through: reach. Localised use of corrugated sheets has had a local impact of moving sediment -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime but channel narrowing is required to make sediment mobilisation more sustainable. Test 87 T069 Atkins Rehabilitate Both banks have been heavily managed through cutting marginal vegetation back to -Riparian planting bank edge. In the area around the island in the lower section of the reach a greater -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures particularly width of marginal vegetation has been allowed. Tree planting along the channel to in the use of coarse woody debris provide increased cover would also be of benefit. The river has good flows and in-channel vegetation in this reach, but could be improved by reducing cutting of marginal vegetation and reducing mowing on the left Rehabilitate riparian zone by: Test 87 T070 Atkins bank. Tree planting along the channel to provide increased cover would also be of -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime. Rehabilitate benefit. Flows are impounded primarily because of the road bridge with minimal impact -Riparian planting. from the arched footbridge downstream of the road bridge. This channel has an artificial planform with some straightened sections and some sinuosity. It is fenced off along most of its length. Riparian habitat is good apart from Conserve this reach and seek opportunities to enhance the the section on the left bank where bank protection is in place. The bank protection riparian zone Test 87 T071 Atkins supports a footpath, but it could be replaced with softer engineering and marginal Conserve and enhance Other: habitat planting. Poaching by dogs may be a constraint that would need to be considered. The footbridge acts to narrow the channel and the impact of this feature -The bank protection could be replaced with softer alternative needs to be fully considered. This is a slightly sinuous section of channel which is fairly natural in character. It is not Conserve this reach fenced so cattle can access the channel and poaching was observed on the right bank. Locally rehabilitate the channel by: Test 87 T072 Atkins Conserve and enhance A ford immediately below the footbridge over-widens the channel to 25m. If the ford is -Undertaking marginal planting at the ford location to narrow not used narrowing works using marginal planting could be undertaken. the channel This is a small section of perched channel though woodland. This has good habitat Test 87 T073 Atkins diversity with local narrowing having been undertaken. There is a good mix of light and Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance shade. Small perched channel through woodland. Narrowing has been undertaken through the reach. There is a good mix of light and shade with marginal vegetation growth Test 87 T074 Atkins present where there the canopy is more open. Clean gravels evident along the bed. Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance

This reach is a small section of the River Anton. Part of the bank is managed for fisheries. There is extensive marginal vegetation with a good margin. Where the Anton 87 A01 GeoData Conserve and enhance. Conserve and enhance channel margin is mown there is a loss of the marginal vegetation. The reach initially has shallow clear waters and gravel substrate with section of Ranunculus.

Channel becomes progressively wider, deeper and with more sand deposits on the Restore through: bed. There is a large weir with old mill wheel on the right bank. An off-take for a fish -Riparian planting which would need to be considered farm is immediately upstream of weir. Removal of large weir would affect the off-take alongside the need to maintain/improve degraded fen Test 88 T075 GeoData Restore to the fish farm on the right bank. The structure has a fish pass. The reach is widened -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime and deepened in places. The reach has a mix of cover with woodland present along -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures the banks. -Removal or partial removal / lowering of structure The upstream end of reach starts at redundant sluice opposite 'The Mayfly' pub. This Restore through: reach is straight channel running parallel another reach. The channel widens slightly -Removal or partial removal/lowering of structures throughout Test 88 T076 GeoData Restore but then returns to its uniform width. The channel splits into two further downstream. the reach The old structures could be removed. -Change sluice control to restore channel This is an artificially straightened, drainage ditch, with over-deepened pools at the corners of bends. The channel has a varied bed and a supply of woody debris and thus has undergone some recovery. Riparian vegetation provides good habitat, Conserve this reach. Enhance the riparian zone by: Test 88 T077 Atkins Conserve and enhance however there is about 80% shading from trees on the left bank. -Reducing shading from left bank overhanging branches

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Reach starts at confluence with reach T081 and T079 as a deep glide channel and Restore the channel through: heavily silted. Channel then shallows and velocities increase. Both banks are heavily -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime mowed with deep sections (> 1.5m). A new drain has been cut on the right bank and -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Test 88 T078 GeoData fitted with a hew hatch. Upstream of the hatch the channel narrows and deepens. In Restore summary the banks are heavily mowed for access and have little diversity in the -Riparian planting which would need to be considered riparian vegetation. Channel is noticeably shallower at upstream end supporting more alongside the need to maintain/improve degraded fen in-channel vegetation. -Bed level raising Rehabilitate the channel through: -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting The reach starts in wet woodland as a silted channel. There are many trees growing regime Test 88 T079 GeoData into river. Channel widens significantly at confluence with a downstream reach. The Rehabilitate reach ends with a weir causing upstream siltation. -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures -Riparian planting which would need to be considered alongside the need to maintain/improve degraded fen Upstream end initially has clean gravels and shallow with no vegetation. Artificial Rehabilitate through: island at confluence with lake. Three off-takes are on right bank. The main reach -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Test 88 T080 GeoData Rehabilitate channel continues 'straight' on at confluence with almost non-perceptible flow. Reach -Riparian planting which would need to be considered flows into the top end of fish farm. alongside the need to maintain/improve degraded fen

The reach is initially wide and deep with glide flow. Both banks are extensively mowed. Rehabilitate the channel through: A very large sluice structure (with fish pass and eel trap built into it) is located -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime. downstream of the road bridge. Downstream of footbridge there are large silty\sand -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Test 88 T081 GeoData Rehabilitate deposits across whole channel width. The bed progressively becomes increasingly -Riparian planting which would need to be considered sandy downstream. In summary this reach starts deep and silted but after large sluice alongside the need to maintain/improve degraded fen becomes shallower but still wide with banks heavily maintained. -Removal or partial removal/lowering of structure Reach begins upstream of large sluice at Longstock Mill. The channel starts as deep glide. The channel is gravel bottomed, perched with a uniform width. Upstream of Rehabilitate reach through: hatch the left bank has recently added bank protection. Scrub clearing has occurred -Riparian planting Test 88 T082 GeoData on the left bank. The upstream third of reach is not perched and flows through grazing -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Rehabilitate land but both banks are still intensively managed. After run where Ranunculus was -Bed level raising occurring channel becomes straight and very deep. Predominantly devoid of in- -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime channel vegetation. The reach is a glide, with a sandy bottomed channel with reed planting on the inside of Rehabilitate reach through: the fist bend. Wooden stakes exist on the right bank which suggested a failed attempt -Riparian planting Test 88 T083 GeoData at channel narrowing. Reach terminates at large sluice structure. Most of the boards Rehabilitate have been removed so acting as a weir. Could improve riparian vegetation at -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting downstream end but it is currently heavily maintained on left bank. regime The reach is initially wide and deep with a glide flow. Both banks are extensively mowed. There is a large sluice structure with fish pass and eel trap built into it downstream of the road bridge. Downstream of the footbridge there are large Rehabilitate through: silty\sand deposits across the whole channel width which progressively become more Test 88 T084 GeoData -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures Rehabilitate sandy. Near the downstream end there are wooded stakes which are past attempts to stop bank erosion. In summary this reach starts deep and silted but after the large -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime sluice the reach becomes shallower but is still wide with banks heavily maintained by fisheries. Reach starts at road bridge which has a weir built into it. The right bank is mowed on each bank and adjacent land-use has been cleared by the burning of reeds. After a Rehabilitate through: riffle the channel becomes a deep glide and the bed is heavily silted. It has tight -Bed level raising Test 88 T085 GeoData meanders then joins a more uniform wider channel which is also heavily silted. The Rehabilitate bed then becomes a sticky clay predominantly suffering from siltation with occasional -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting patches of gravel. Whilst the planform is sinuous the bank tops are heavily managed regime and channel has been over-deepened. Test 88 T086 Inaccessible Inaccessible Inaccessible Test 88 T087 Inaccessible Inaccessible Inaccessible SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Channel starts as a deep glide, at confluence with reach T086 and it becomes wider Rehabilitate through: and heavily silted. After a footbridge the channel shallows but gravels are coated with a -Bed level raising Test 88 T088 GeoData Rehabilitate fine layer of silt then progressively become cleaner. In summary, this reach starts -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting deep but ends as a shallow river. The right bank is mowed. regime Rehabilitate through: -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting This reach is initially a straight, glide and is deep. After the confluence at the footbridge regime Test 88 T089 GeoData the channel shallows for about 20m and then deepens until next confluence. An old -Create backwater Rehabilitate sluice is creating a scour pool. The right bank is poached in places. -Riparian planting -Bed level raising -Change sluice control to restore channel Rehabilitate reach through: The upstream end is initially silted, deep and a glide. The channel remains deep -Riparian planting (>1.5m) for most of reach. Banks are heavily mowed and there is little shading of Test 88 T090 GeoData Rehabilitate channel. Land-use beyond riparian edge is predominantly pasture land. The reach has -Bed level raising little diversity. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing / cutting regime Restore the reach through: Initially a straight and deep channel. Both banks are mowed. The right bank has been -Bed level raising Test 88 T091 GeoData narrowed with reeds. A small hatch on the left bank takes water off into a garden. A Restore number of sluices exist, one of which takes water under Stockbridge high street. -Change sluice control to restore the channel -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime The reach starts as a garden on the left bank with grazing along the right bank. After main road bridge the left bank has a very shallow embankment. There is a sluice in the reach which has a mixture of under/over shot hatches. A large scour pool exists Rehabilitate reach through: downstream of the sluice. The river remains wide and shallow in this section. On the -Riparian planting. Test 88 T092 GeoData left bank there are submerged stakes for about 50m which could be old bank Rehabilitate protection. The channel gets progressively deeper (>1.5m) and then shallows out at -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures. the downstream end where the flow is split into reaches T094 and T095. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime.

This is a short reach which runs under Longstock Mill. The left bank is a complex of Conserve and enhance. Test 88 T093 GeoData sluices and hatches. One sluice has a weed screen but is abandoned. Downstream of Conserve and enhance the mill the stream becomes an ornamental stream in a garden. It is difficult to make improvements given the mill setting. The left bank is woodland although the bank top is mowed for fishing access. This side becomes a wetland whilst the right bank remains as grazing land. Channel progressively gets deeper downstream to a sluice. One hatch has no gates and is Rehabilitate reach through: acting as a fish pass to the large sluice, which as an eel trap complex and a weed -Riparian planting Test 88 T094 GeoData Rehabilitate screen. River begins to meander downstream of the sluice and becomes shallower. -Bed level raising An old water meadow is present on left bank. The channel becomes deep (>1.5m) and -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime narrow. After the bridge, the channel shallows but the banks remain high. There are large submerged sandy deposits. Rehabilitate reach through: The channel is quite deep in places. It is most likely to have been dredged. Sluice -Riparian planting Test 88 T095 GeoData from reach T098 is located in the downstream section. Banks are largely devoid of Rehabilitate cover through the lack of riparian vegetation. -Bed level raising -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime This is the main channel through floodplain. There has been some local narrowing in places but it is over wide in other sections. There have been some introduced gravels Rehabilitate reach through: to form riffles in places. There is little emergent vegetation. A section of the lower -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Test 88 T096 GeoData reach runs along the backs of gardens and may have been historically dredged. Banks -Bed level raising Rehabilitate are very high on both banks. Some willow planting has been undertaken on the left -Restore continuity with floodplain – set back embankments bank. Some artificial materials (coarse gravels) have been dumped into the margins. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Channel only partially connected to the floodplain. SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Restore reach through: The left bank has been initially fenced with old poaching evident. There is a recently -Restore channel planform installed drinking trough. The left bank is "Marsh Common" and is well used by -Riparian planting members of the public. Fencing while required is not considered to be desirable. The -De-silt particular reach right bank is reed/woodland. Channel deepens and substrate becomes clay for a short Test 88 T097 GeoData Restore section then shallows again. Backwaters on the left bank are sometimes ponded drainage channels coming off grazing land. There have been various attempts to The reach also required management of dog/human access reduce poaching pressure through the faggoting of the bank edge with limited success. to reduce poaching pressure but fencing is not allowed on the In the lower section the right bank is mowed. common land.

This reach is an artificial channel (Marsh Court River). Flow is from Stockbridge Marsh where it is at floodplain level. At the downstream end of the reach the channel rises to Restore through: 2m above the floodplain into a perched alignment. The channel is narrow at the -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures upstream end with vegetated margins. The left bank is fishery managed. The right -Bed level raising Test 88 T098 GeoData bank has a wooded margin in the upstream end of the reach. The channel may have Restore been modified by local narrowing and modification of the bank widths. Much of the -De-silt particular reach channel is over deepened by the downstream sluice structure. The bank side is mown -Change sluice control to restore channel on both banks from below the island. Local narrowing has occurred at the downstream -Restore continuity with the floodplain – lower embankments. end through silt accumulations. This reach is the Marsh Court river section within large water meadow systems. Both banks are managed over much of this reach as fishery. The banks have mown edges Rehabilitate the channel by: and the marginal vegetation has been cut. As an artificial channel it generally has a -Modify hatch control operation to enhance channel good flow and diversity of flow types. The channel bed is not silted above the sluices. Test 88 T099 GeoData -Riparian planting Rehabilitate Sluice structures are present in the lower downstream limit of the reach. Locally there appears to be deposits of gravel and chalk. Channel is partially perched at the -Bed level raising upstream end but around 250m downstream of the second sluice structure the channel -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting regime descends to the floodplain level. Channel form and width improve downstream.

Test 88 T100 GeoData Choked ditch section fed by upstream spring and floodplain ditches. In the Conserve and enhance. Conserve and enhance downstream section where it joins the main channel it is dominated by in-channel vegetation.

Upstream section of channel has a gravel bed but the lower section is silted as a result of the large sluice at the downstream end. In the upstream section the channel is embanked and the right bank is mown with well established vegetated side bar. Tree Rehabilitate reach through: Test 88 T101 GeoData cutting has taken place along the right bank (set-back). There is a large island with lots Rehabilitate of tree-cutting on it. The channel shallows out and becomes very wide. A large ford -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures. near midpoint is forming a large shallow riffle section. The channel narrows but deepens. The weir at the mill is causing impoundments upstream. The right bank is wet woodland. Left bank has a mown path. Upstream section is part of Bossington mill Restore by: Test 88 T102 GeoData gardens. The channel is over-widened at the junction. Channel is strongly dominated -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering. Restore by tufa with fine gravel matrix and marginal fines. The reach is generally not over- -Channel narrowing through in-channel measures. deepened and only locally over-widened. Restore by: The key restoration action for this reach is weir removal. Currently the weir impounds -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering. about 300m of the river upstream, creating an over-deepened section of the channel Test 88 T103 Atkins Rehabilitate the channel by: Restore and preventing it from establishing natural features. The reach is also over-widened in some places with a narrow marginal strip. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime. -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures. Side channel is gravel dominated and clear. Test 88 T104 GeoData Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit

Both the banks are poached. The channel is relatively deep but shallows after right Rehabilitate through: hand bend with more fine gravels present. Upstream of the ford the channel narrows -Bed level raising Test 88 T105 GeoData Rehabilitate to about 3m wide. Hatch has weed screen and connects to holding pens. Heavily -Restore continuity with floodplain silted in places and over-deepened. A deep channel with evidence of former dredging. The reach has uniform banks Rehabilitate through: (mowed) with little diversity. Whilst the planform suggests a semi-natural reach, it has -Riparian planting Test 88 T106 GeoData been over-deepened. Downstream of the bridge the adjacent floodplain becomes Rehabilitate wooded. The lower reach lacks gravel and is composed of sand downstream of the -Bed level raising bridge. -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime The upstream end of the reach starts at North Head flow split. This is predominantly a Rehabilitate reach through: deep glide and silted up until the bridge. The left bank is embanked on the corner up -Riparian planting until cattle access point. The flow then becomes a deep glide again. The left bank is -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures. Test 88 T107 GeoData fenced off. After the hatch the channel narrows and land use closes off as it Rehabilitate approaches an old rail embankment. The channel remains a deep glide and is -Bed level raising perched. The channel is predominantly perched, silted channel with little riparian -De-silt particular reach vegetation as it is intensively mowed. -Vegetation management Wooded on left bank and channel is heavily shaded at this location. Right bank is grazed and the bank edge is protected with electric fencing. The channel is narrower Restore by: Restore Test 88 T108 GeoData than the upstream reach but is still deep with a glide although it has improved riparian vegetation. The mill is causing an impoundment upstream with over 0.5m depth of silt -Weir removal or partial removal / lowering occurring immediately upstream of the mill. A short reach from Horsebridge mill to junction with right bank channel below small board weir. The weir is 0.5m high with downstream plunge pool causing ponding flow Restore by: with silt and filamentous algae. Upstream of the rail bridge the character changes to -Weir removal or partial removal / lowering Restore Test 89 T109 GeoData wide channel with coarse clean gravels. Marginal vegetation is present and -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Ranunculus has regular cover. The left bank downstream of the rail bridge is mown. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Upstream of the rail bridge both sides are wooded.

Conserve and enhance as it is a drain and hence difficult to Test 89 T110 GeoData Downstream of culvert the stream is within grazed land and is heavily silted. Evidence Conserve and enhance of dredging on left bank whilst right bank is more natural with reeds. Downstream end improve to any significant degree. of this reach is heavily wooded with lots of coarse woody debris.

Upstream of Compton estate the right bank is mown and cut. Woodland is present Restore by: along the left bank. The downstream section end is controlled by a concrete sluice -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering Test 89 T111 GeoData which creates glide conditions in the upstream reach. Above the sluice there are - Change sluice control to restore channel Restore extensive depths of silt accumulation. Marginal reeds are along the left bank where the - Bed level raising channel widens. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Left bank is wooded with willow. Bed vegetation is prevalent. There has been Rehabilitate through: Test 89 T112 GeoData Rehabilitate evidence of dredging. -Bed level raising Restore through: The channel starts with a fast flow through a single uncontrolled gate. The channel -Structure removal or partial removal/lowering has a series of low weirs likely to have been put in place to increase the flow diversity Test 89 T113 GeoData -Riparian planting Restore through the reach. The banks have a mown riparian edge and managed margins. The right bank has shading through trees along the margins. -Bed level raising -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime Compton Estate have already developed detailed enhancement plans to improve their water, and are in discussion with the EA and NE about the designs. These reaches have Test 89 T114 Atkins therefore not been included in the high level actions set out in the Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy Compton Estate have already developed detailed enhancement plans to improve their water, and are in discussion with the EA and NE about the designs. These reaches have Test 89 T115 Atkins therefore not been included in the high level actions set out in the Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Compton Estate have already developed detailed enhancement plans to improve their water, and are in discussion with the EA and NE about the designs. These reaches have Test 89 T116 Atkins therefore not been included in the high level actions set out in the Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy Compton Estate have already developed detailed enhancement plans to improve their water, and are in discussion with the EA and NE about the designs. These reaches have Test 89 T117 Atkins therefore not been included in the high level actions set out in the Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy The reach starts at large weir which is causing scour downstream. The right bank is Test 89 T118 GeoData mowed. The left bank has fringing reed. A short reach connecting perched reach T119 Conserve and enhance Conserve and enhance to main Test channel. This reach is initially wide and shallow with the right bank mowed for fishing access. A Rehabilitate reach by: large tree has collapsed into river and has been cut into segments. The left bank has continuous reeds and then becomes mown at bridge. At this point river is deep and -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures obviously realigned. It has silty deposits in this location. It shallows as it passes a -Bed level raising Test 89 T119 GeoData garden on the right bank. There is a weir under bridge which causes rapid flow. -De-silt particular reach Rehabilitate Upstream of the bridge the reach flows through Mottisfont gardens. Gravel addition has been undertaken but the channel remains perched. Almost no trees line this perched Structure removal/modification may also be required in this channel. The left bank is maintained for fishing. The left bank has a reed edge that is reach. successfully established. This is narrowing the channel although the channel is deep. As a drainage channel the channel will never be ‘natural’, in its current condition it Test 89 T120 Atkins Conserve this reach. No restoration actions. Conserve and enhance provides valuable wetland habitat, therefore no further recommendations are made. Downstream of Compton Estate the reach has a substrate is a mixture of gravels and clay. Bank side is frequently cleared by cutting and in places burning. Channel Rehabilitate reach by: becomes deep and wide in places. The channel runs through the grounds of Lower -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures Test 89 T121 GeoData Rehabilitate Brook House where banks are predominantly reinforced. Downstream of the bridge river -Bed level raising becomes wide and deep again then very silty. There are sections that have large silt -De-silt particular reach deposits. The channel is very straight, with uniform flows and depths throughout the reach. To Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: improve the habitat and flow diversity within the reach it is recommended to reduce the -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting Test 89 T122 Atkins Rehabilitate in channel cutting and the mowing of the banks. Tree planting would also add greater regime habitat diversity to the reach. -Riparian planting

This is a short reach with a sinuous planform in the grounds of Lower Brook House. The channel has highly manicured banks and terminates at a weir. Both banks heavily Test 89 T123 GeoData Conserve and enhance. Conserve and enhance mowed. Entire reach falls within the gardens of the house and consequently managed as a garden. No barriers to fish.

A silted channel flowing through Mottisfont car park. Passes into a field, then a sharp right hand turn. A weir is under the road bridge. A new channel appears to have been Test 89 T124 GeoData Conserve and enhance. Conserve and enhance cut to feed into reach T124. Left bank becomes re-sectioned and mown. This is a drain (referred to as Wallace's Ditch on OS Map). Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: The channel is impounded by a series of small structures along its length. Bridges could be widened and weirs removed. In addition riparian vegetation could be improved along -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing regime Test 89 T125 Atkins both banks by reducing the mowing regime. A constraint to this would be fishing access. Rehabilitate -Reduce tree shading (slightly) in the lower section The reach downstream of the dismantled railway is heavily shaded. Improve the channel connectivity by removing the weirs and widening the bridges The straightened section of channel is a braid off the main carrier. It passes under a road and disused rail bridge before re-joining the main carrier. The channel has good flows and sufficient shading to allow a varied habitat to develop. The riparian vegetation Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: Test 89 T126 Atkins could be improved along both banks by reducing the mowing regime. A constraint to this Rehabilitate would be fishing access. - Vegetation management by reducing the mowing regime

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit This channel is the main River Test carrier. It has good flows; however it is impounded Restore channel continuity by changing the sluice at the downstream extent of this reach for a few hundred metres. The riparian operations located towards the start of reach T130. Test 89 T127 Atkins Restore vegetation could be improved along both banks by reducing the mowing regime. A Improve the riparian zone by: constraint to this would be fishing access. -Vegetation management by reducing the mowing regime The channel has good flows, in channel vegetation and has sufficient shading to allow a Conserve this reach. The riparian zone could be enhanced Test 89 T128 Atkins varied habitat to develop. The riparian vegetation could be improved along both banks by: Conserve and enhance by reducing the mowing regime. A constraint to this would be fishing access. - Vegetation management by reducing the mowing regime Rehabilitate by: A relatively straight section of channel with good flows that appears to still be adjusting - Improve the channel by looking at options to reduce the to having additional flow from a second carrier diverted into it. Erosion was observed sediment entering this reach from the other carrier. along both banks. Flow from the second carrier was high in fine sediment content which Test 89 T129 Atkins potentially could be adversely impacting on the channel habitat. The riparian vegetation could be improved along both banks by reducing the mowing regime. This would help to Improve the riparian zone by: Rehabilitate stabilise the banks and would prevent the need for timber bank protection. A constraint -Vegetation management by reducing cutting/mowing to letting the riparian zone grow would be fishing access. regime.

The channel has a diversity of flow types, in channel vegetation, and a good riparian strip. The selective maintenance regime in this section has proved very effective. This Conserve this reach. Enhance the channel by local Test 90 T130 Atkins Conserve and enhance could benefit from the addition of coarse woody debris to create a greater variety of flow addition of woody debris. and habitats. A straight and relatively deep section of channel which is perched and was realigned in the past. Flows into the reach are also controlled by a weir structure. The channel shows some evidence of recovery including a watercress covered bar at the upper end Conserve this reach. Enhance the riparian zone by: Test 90 T131 Atkins and some marginal habitat works have been undertaken to narrow the channel and -Vegetation management to leave a larger riparian strip Conserve and enhance increase the diversity. Tree lining along the right bank is extensive and provides some along the right bank woody debris to the channel. The riparian zone on the right bank has been mown and a larger riparian strip should be left along parts of this reach. Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: The channel is over widened with uniform flow throughout, as a result of a weed screen -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting impounding the flow further downstream. Removal of the weed screen would allow the regime Test 90 T132 Geodata Rehabilitate river to flow more freely and reducing the mowing of banks and cutting of marginal vegetation would create a greater diversity of flows and habitats. Rehabilitate the channel by: -Weed screen removal The straightened section of channel has a good flow because it connects two other main channels, which have a height difference. The bed consists predominantly of coarse Test 90 T133 Atkins Conserve this reach. No actions required. Conserve and enhance gravels. As the channel is left largely unmanaged it provides a diversity of vegetation and habitat types. The straightened section of channel shows evidence of natural recovery through riparian Conserve this reach. Enhance this reach by: and in channel vegetation growth. The main pressure is the impoundment and right Conserve and enhance Test 90 T134 Atkins angled bend halfway along the reach. However, below the sluice structure the channel -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting

has good flow as there is a drop in gradient to where the reach connects into the main regime channel. - Adjustment to sluice management

This section of the channel is heavily impounded creating a wetland feature. No Test 90 T135 Atkins restoration is recommended as this is not a natural channel and provides a diversity of Conserve this reach. No actions required. Conserve and enhance habitat types under current wetland feature conditions.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit Restore channel continuity by: -Weir removal/lowering An artificial, straight section of channel with uniform banks (which include old brick bank protection) and a highly degraded riparian zone. Weir structures manage the flow on the Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: lower section of the reach and are impounding flows upstream. The channel is over -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting Test 90 T136 Atkins deepened (about 1.5m in water depth with banks between 1-1.5m) but the bed shows Restore regime signs of natural recovery as Ranunculus is present at regular intervals. Along the upper part of the reach there was erosion of the right bank where protection has failed, causing the channel to over-widen at this point. Rehabilitate the channel by: -Re-profiling the banks to enable berm features to develop. -Bed level raising The channel has recently been restored through removing the structure at the downstream extent; this has reduced the depth and improved flow velocities. To aid the Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: Test 90 T137 Atkins establishment of a more natural channel with a variety of flow types and habitats, it is -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting Rehabilitate recommended that the cutting of marginal vegetation be reduced to enable the regime establishment of a wider and more varied riparian strip. The channel is an unmanaged carrier which has developed good wetland habitat. No Test 90 T138 Atkins Conserve this reach. No restoration required. Conserve and enhance restoration required. Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: The channel is over widened with uniform flow throughout this reach, as a result of a -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting weed screen impounding the flow downstream. Removal of the weed screen would Test 90 T139 Atkins regime Rehabilitate allow the river to flow more freely and reducing the mowing of banks and cutting of marginal vegetation would create a greater diversity of flows and habitats. Rehabilitate the channel by: -Weed screen removal Test 90 T140 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible Test 90 T141 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible Restore channel continuity by: -Weir removal or partial removal/lowering

Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: An artificial, straight section of channel with uniform banks (which include old brick bank protection) and a highly degraded riparian zone. Weir structures manage the flow on the - Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting lower section of the reach and are impounding flows upstream. The channel is over regime Test 90 T142 Atkins deepened (about 1.5m in water depth with banks between 1-1.5m) but the bed shows Restore signs of natural recovery as Ranunculus is present at regular intervals. Along the upper Rehabilitate the channel by: part of the reach there was erosion of the right bank where protection has failed, causing - Re-profiling the banks to enable berm features to develop. the channel to over-widen at this point. - Bed level raising

Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: The flow is impounded by the partially breached weir downstream and the riparian -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting vegetation is heavily managed on the right bank. Key restoration would be to remove regime Test 90 T143 Atkins Rehabilitate the weir and then reduce management of the banks to allow marginal vegetation to establish. Improve channel continuity by: -Weir removal Conserve and enhance through: The channel has been left largely unmanaged which has allowed it to develop wetland -Create riffles Atkins/ Test 90 T144 features, providing a valuable habitat. It is however largely uniform so local Conserve and enhance Geodata A detailed assessment of options in this reach is already improvements to flow variability could be achieved. being investigated. Additional actions may thus be required.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit At the upstream end the flow splits where the Test is very wide. Channel becomes straight and obviously perched at off-take weir. Channel flows under road bridge and then becomes a very straight channel flowing adjacent to residential land. Channel re- Conserve and enhance. connects with main Test at a sluice upstream of the mill. Sluices control flow into a fish Test 90 T145 GeoData Conserve and enhance farm and under mill. Channel continues under mill and between fish farm on left bank Due to artificial nature of channel recommendation is to do and residential gardens on right bank. Bed becomes silted upstream of weir and then nothing again in the last 50m as it rejoins the main Test. Essentially this is a perched, artificial channel that generates a head of water for the fish farm. This reach starts with flow deflectors that control amount of water in to reach T148. The right bank is heavily mowed. An elongated island (mowed) accelerates flows where Rehabilitate the riparian zone by: Ranunculus occurs. The flow splits at railway bridge into reach T149 on left bank. -Riparian planting Test 90 T146 GeoData Rehabilitate Flows passed fish farm on the right bank. Sluice holds a high head of water which feeds -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/ cutting the fish farm (removing this would adversely affect fish farm). The channel flows regime adjacent to gardens which have much reinforced banks. Reach terminates at flow split.

Upstream end begins at island complex, initially shallow but the bed becomes very silty Conserve and enhance. close to the sluice. Channel is a continuous glide, silted and obviously perched. An Test 90 T147 GeoData Conserve and enhance artificial channel which is perched and embanked for much of its length. The reach is Due to artificial nature of channel recommendation is to do heavily silted but possesses good riparian vegetation. nothing. Rehabilitate the channel by: -Restore connectivity with the floodplain by lowering/removal of embankments. The channel has embankments which are approximately 1m high on both banks which -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures disconnects the channel from the floodplain and limits the growth of riparian vegetation. -Create backwater Measures to reconnect the channel to its floodplain could improve connectivity. Flood Test 90 T148 Atkins Rehabilitate risk to Romsey would need to be considered if any such measure was considered. Poaching is also recorded at a number of left bank locations, the channel would Reduce poaching pressure by: therefore also benefit from fencing and the installation of off-line water access. -Conserve this reach.

Enhance this reach by: - Grazing/poaching pressure management A predominantly artificial channel flowing through fields with significant amounts of hard- bank protection. Channel splits into multiple channels as it enters the urban area of Conserve and enhance: Romsey. It is the mill race for a sequence of mills: Mead Mill, Burnt Mill and Abbey Mills -Riparian planting Test 90 T149 GeoData Conserve and enhance and includes side by-pass channels. Marginal vegetation is present but shade is also Unnecessary modifications within this reach should be provided by and woody vegetation. Any options for enhancements are constrained by reviewed and removed where possible. the perched nature of the channels and urban development. Conserve this reach. Enhance riparian zone by: -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting There is a diversity of habitats within this reach with a key issue being that appropriate riparian and marginal vegetation management is largely being undertaken. Where regime marginal vegetation has been allowed to establish this provides a greater variety of flow - Riparian planting types and habitats through localised narrowing. More measures to encourage the - Remove invasive species (Himalayan Balsam) along this Test 91 T150 Atkins Conserve and enhance establishment of marginal vegetation could be implemented and the maintenance regime reach could be selectively reduced. Coarse woody debris would be beneficial in the channel at Rehabilitate the channel locally by: key points. Consideration to the potential re-connection of the sluice channel to the main -Channel narrowing by adding woody debris. River Test should be considered upstream of the M27. -Removing bank protection. -Localised weir removal on side channel Test 91 T151 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible Test 91 T152 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible

Test 91 T153 Inaccessible. Inaccessible. Inaccessible

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit This reach is the upstream limit of the SSSI reach on the River Dever. This reach has a semi-natural planform which is largely unmanaged upstream of the A30 road bridge in a wooded section of the valley. Extensive marginal silts are largely unvegetated due to the heavy shading of the channel by willow and alder trees. Some course woody debris Conserve and enhance the reach through: features exist along the reach appears to be constructed rather than being natural -Reducing tree shading Dever 86 D01 GeoData Conserve and enhance accumulations. Many sections are unmanaged but there are plans to do more -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures clearance. Margins where sediment has consolidated are developing bank side and -Removing bank protection terrestrial vegetation. Natural narrowing has occurred leaving a clear central section of gravel bed in some locations. This is aided where light can enter the channel when shading is less dense. Upstream part of the reach is a managed fish farm with mown banks leading to cut marginal vegetation. Sediment is trapped in marginal vegetation where it has been Rehabilitate through: retained. The reach through the fish farm has multiple channels with numerous fish -De-silting ponds. Generally the channel is narrow and connected to the floodplain, but only -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting Dever 86 D02 GeoData partially so on the left bank. At the downstream end of the reach there is a return Restore regime channel of the original meandering channel alignment (not an SSSI designation) but which is now heavily silted. Upstream of the fish farm the channel is less managed and -Reduce tree shading course woody debris is blocking channel. The bank side trees in this section create -Restore channel planform dense shading. The reach is a semi-natural meandering section with long, coarse gravel riffles. Banks are more natural and unmanaged. Channel has a pool and riffle sequence with short glides with extensive marginal silts. The channel is adjusting naturally via deposition on both banks of stable and unstable deposits. The reach has former water meadows along the right bank. Where the margin is mown there is generally a good buffer width to Conserve and enhance the reach through: Dever 86 D03 GeoData Conserve and enhance the unmanaged margin. The reach has spring line that feeds into the channel. The -Removal or partial removal/lowering of small structures gravel bed is generally clean gravels. There has been a sequence of deflectors in the upper half of the reach to improve diversity of flow as well as a series of cross channel low weirs. There is locally good Ranunculus cover where channel flow increases. The marginal vegetation has not been cut. The river flows through the former Upper Bullington Common. The channel was historically on the current alignment. Largely unmanaged section although there has been some recent management of riparian trees adjacent to the watercress beds on the Conserve and enhance this reach. Dever 86 D04 GeoData right bank. Channel stem is adjusting through marginal deposition and vegetation Conserve and enhance encroachment. Upstream of the bridge there have been attempts at local narrowing. Despite the artificial nature of the channel it has good marginal vegetation coverage and good bed variation with riffles and fast runs and glides. Rehabilitate reach through: The channel is culverted under the A34. There are a variety of additional bank -Channel narrowing by in-channel measures modifications associated with a road bridge and rail viaduct. Channel is re-sectioned Dever 86 D05 Geodata Rehabilitate and realigned to a trapezoidal channel protected by block stone and gabions. It is also -Riparian planting over-widened. -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting regime The upstream section is dominated by fine gravel/silt and sand bed and retains good Restore channel through: vegetation cover on the bed. Both banks have been managed. Bullington Mill is causing -Changing sluice control to restore channel Dever 86 D06 GeoData ponding but flow no longer runs through mill weir and is diverted through a hatch. Parts Restore of the channel have been narrowed with wood / CWD pinned to bank. Downstream of -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting Bullington Mill the perched channel drops back to the floodplain. regime

The channel is highly perched on the right bank of the main channel running along the Dever 86 D07 GeoData Conserve this reach hill slope edge. Channel is largely infilled with sediment and organic matter with the Conserve and enhance

addition of extensive coarse woody debris.

SSSI River Reach Code Surveyor Restoration potential – issues to address Restoration actions Management option Unit

This is a short 100m of channel. There are extensive unconsolidated silts on the bed. Margin is currently cut back and there has been cutting of the left and right bank. The Dever 86 D08 GeoData Conserve this reach Conserve and enhance channel may be on the original alignment but has now been largely by-passed and would not be feasible to reinstate. Dever 86 D09 Inaccessible. Inaccessible Inaccessible Reach starts with the combined flow from multiple channels reducing to a single channel alignment. The channel banks are cut in at the upper end on the right bank with a Rehabilitate through: marginal fringe. Weed remains but has been cut across channel. Cutting has retained -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting Dever 86 D10 GeoData Rehabilitate an over-widened channel with loss of natural re-adjustment. Bed has extensive silt regime deposits. The deepened sections occur in the downstream sections of the reach. -In-channel narrowing by in-channel measures Drains from the right bank wetland drain into channel. The channel has a diversity of vegetation across the channel and is appropriately Dever 86 D11 Atkins Conserve this reach. Conserve and enhance managed. Reach starts upstream of a small weir at flow split. Channel feeds a perched mill Restore through: channel and the more natural main channel. Right bank is maintained by fishing club. - Restore channel planform Dever 86 D12 GeoData Channel is shaded from both banks then becomes wider and deeper, channel cuts Restore across floodplain with evidence of old water meadow and original channel on the right -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting bank. regime Starts upstream of the bridge with clear water and clean gravels. Channel splits into Restore through: Dever 86 D13 GeoData main channel and mill channel. It remains wooded on right bank with left bank sedge cut -Change sluice control to restore channel Restore back. Left bank is maintained by fisheries and right bank is much more natural. -Alter weed cutting management practices The Bransbury Beat has fen meadow on both banks with isolated willow scrub. The downstream end is, in part, ponded by the off-line sluice and a downstream sluice (not Rehabilitate through: recorded in this reach). The right bank is mown and the riparian margin is fen to the -Vegetation management by reducing mowing/cutting bank edge. Sections appear to have been dredged to make up the right bank levels and Dever 86 D14 GeoData regime Rehabilitate upstream this has been used to narrow the banks on the right bank side, whilst marginal fen growth is narrowing from the left bank. There is a strong depositional tendency with -Reduce dredging accumulations on the margins where vegetation is allowed to establish narrowing the -Alter weed cutting management practices section. Section is controlled by two main sluices with deeper flows. A couple of concrete block weirs have been installed to provide holding waters. Bank sides are generally not cut Restore channel through altering sluice control and Dever 86 D15 GeoData Restore and allowed to grow out on the left bank. Relatively small scale marginal sediment potential removal or partial removal/lowering structures. accumulation. Very variable bed vegetation cover. Reach D16 is known as the Rainbow Stream. It is narrow channel with old wood piling, a trapezoidal channel and artificial. Wood piling at the downstream end is being eroded Conserve and enhance and reduce maintenance to allow Dever 86 D16 GeoData along the left bank. The left bank is cut and mown but a riparian margin is present Conserve and enhance for continued natural adjustment. alongside the right. The channel has alternating accumulations of sediment deposition and short riffle/run sections.

Note: A significant proportion of the survey work was undertaken by Geodata between 2009-12 as detailed above. These data were provided to Atkins by the EA and the analysis and conclusions are based on the survey data provided.