Essex Rivers Hub

The channel is straightened, featureless and narrow at this point with some in channel reed present. Buffer strips are located on either side of the river creating some separation between the channel and the arable fields, a ford and a bridge are also present.

The area (land use)

The dominant land use for this stretch of river is arable.

No livestock were recorded.

Channel characteristics

The river channel consists of mainly silt, and riffles are absent.

At the time of recording the flow of water was slow and the channel was 1-2m wide and <0.5m in depth.

For most of this stretch the channel profile is steep.

Bankside trees were frequent, marginal plants and in-channel plants are frequent. Woody debris was noted to be rare.

Engineering

The channel has been straightened and man-made enhancements are present along this stretch of river.

Field drains were recorded as present and barriers / culverts are present.

Condition

Areas of trampling / poaching were absent and areas of erosion were absent at the time of the survey.

Wildlife

During the survey a water vole was seen along with mink tracks, fox droppings and other signs of foxes and muntjac deer were also seen.

• < River Mardyke walkover map
• < River Mardyke walkover list

RBD/catchment/river/tributary

River Mardyke

Date completed

May-13

Upstream Grid ref

TQ6265286377

Downstream Grid ref

TQ6213785139