Key watercourses of the Forest of Dean
River Severn/Severn Estuary
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, beginning in the Cambrian mountains and flowing through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucester, before finally ending at the Severn Estuary at the Bristol Channel.
The River and its estuary are one of the most important UK river systems for the conservation of many species and habitats. These include:
- European Eel
- River Lamprey
- Sea Lamprey
- Twaite Shad
- Bewick’s swan
- Supports over 20,000 wintering waterfowl
- Atlantic salt meadows
- Subtidal sandbanks
- Reefs
- Salmon
The Severn has also been noted for its potential in the reintroduction of the white-tailed sea eagle. These birds, which have been extinct in Wales since 1830, have been proposed for a reintroduction scheme in the Monmouthshire Side of the River Severn.
Aside from its role as a habitat for freshwater, marine and bird species, the Severn also provides benefits for local communities:
- Provides potable water via Severn Trent Water
- Potential for renewable energy e.g. tidal energy
- Hosts a plethora of recreational activities
There are many legal designations that have been placed along the river system. This legally protects the river and its estuary, and includes designations such as:
- Ramsar Sites
- Special Protection Area (SPA)
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Local Nature Reserve (LNR)
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
More information regarding the different legal designations across the Severn can be found here
Despite its many designations, the Severn, its estuary and the ecosystems which depend on it are threatened due to human-induced climate and pollution issues:
- some areas are prone to flooding due to high rainfall, saturated soils and steep gradients
- phosphate and nitrate nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff
- high levels of sewage discharge in the Severn catchment- over 46 spillages was estimated to have occurred per day between 2021-2023
- sea level rise associated with global warming threatens roosting and feeding areas for some bird species
River Wye
The River Wye stretches approximately 250km, originating in the Cambrian Mountains and flowing through Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, before ending in the Severn Estuary.
The Wye provides critical habitats for many fish species, including several protected and threatened species, such as:
- Atlantic Salmon
- Sea, River and Brook Lamprey
- Allis and Twaite Shad
- Bullhead
Aside from fish species, the river and the surrounding area are also home to a plethora of bird and mammal, invertebrate and plant species which depend on it. This list includes:
- Riverwater crowfoot
- Otters
- Peregrine Falcons
- Grey Herons
- Common and river-water crowfoot
- White clawed crayfish
- Lesser and greater horseshoe Bats
- Red Kites- the valleys surrounding the Wye are said to have been instrumental in saving the UK population
The river is also important for nearby communities due to its roles in:
- providing drinking water for 2.5 million people through Dŵr Cymru and Severn Trent Water
- recreational sites including those involving camping and boating
Legal designations and charters have been placed on the Wye in order to protect the river and its ecosystems:
- two different SSSI designations covering both the Upper and Lower Wye
- designated as a SAC, a designation of international importance
- the FoDDC and many other important county councils, including the Powys and Herefordshire councils, have recently adopted the Charter for the Rights of the River, recognizing the importance of the river and its tributaries and giving the entirety of the river rights identical to that of the FoDDC Rights of River Charter
Unfortunately, the River Wye is one of the most threatened watercourses. The threats involved in causing this include:
- Intense phosphate runoff from agriculture and sewage discharge, with major inputs of manure from nearby poultry farms. As a direct result of this, salmon populations are critically low and invertebrates are absent in some areas.
- Invasive non-native species of crayfish has led to a 50-80% decline of the White-clawed Crayfish. This is an endangered species which is often used as an indicator of healthy freshwater habitats
- Excess sediment, over 75% of which is estimated to have entered from agricultural land, smothers habitats, making the river shallower and carrying even more excess nutrients into ecosystems
- Recreational swimming and boating causes sedimentation, nutrient input and habitat disturbance
River Leadon
The River Leadon is a tributary of the River Severn, and flows through Herefordshire and Gloucestershire before eventually joining the Severn.
The Leadon is important for a plethora of ecosystem and wildlife services, including:
- The contribution to the overall health of the ecosystems found in the Severn Basin, including its wetlands and marshes
- The support of a diverse range of wildlife e.g. foraging bats, noble chafer and the stag beetle
- Its function as an important habitat for eels
- Protection efforts and plans such as the Wilder Leadon programme
Although a smaller river, many parts of the Leadon are included within protected areas and other legal protection. Examples of this are:
- Falling under Nitrates Vulnerable Zones (NVZs), highlighting the risk of nitrate pollution and aiming to maintain adequate water quality
Protected under the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales Regulations, aimed at avoiding the deterioration of water quality and ecosystems
- Agricultural, urban and industrial practices in nearby communities to reduce pollution and flood risk
The River Leadon has been impacted by both human and natural events:
- The catchment area has been known to be prone to flooding, affecting infrastructure and agriculture along the river in times of heavy rainfall
- The river is impacted by pollution, which has killed many of its fish and invertebrates
- In 2016 and biofertilizer event was described as the ‘worst in 10 years in the area’, killing 15,200. It prompted the Environment Agency to add 90,000 fish into the Leadon in 2020 to replace the lost population
Cinderford Brook
The Cinderford Brook is a stream located within the Forest of Dean. It sources in Mitcheldean and flows southwards into Cinderford and Blakeney, eventually leading into the Severn Estuary.
The Brook is of ecological importance to the wildlife of the nearby area. This is due to its vital role as a spawning area for the following species:
- Atlantic salmon
- Sea trout
- Sea and River Lamprey
- European Eel
In addition to this, recreational projects for the local community such as Linear Park and the Blue Rock Trail can be found throughout the area.
While there are no legal designations for the Cinderford Brook, protection projects have been established such as the Cinderford Brook project, which is a river restoration scheme aimed at tackling ecological impacts of low flows.
The main risk involved with the Cinderford Brook is its rapid reaction to rainfall, making it a major risk of powerful flash flooding. While no formal flood defenses are currently in place, community guidance, response plans, and potential future defense developments plans have been installed to protect local communities and ecology.