Essex Rivers Hub

A rural stretch of the river bordered predominantlt by arable fields. This section is relatively unmodified until it flows under the rail bridge over the Bures branch line at the downstream end.

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 pebbles, and riffles are present.

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

For most of this stretch the channel profile is steep.

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

Engineering

The channel has not been straightened and man-made enhancements are absent along this stretch of river.

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

Condition

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

Additional comments

A number of ditches drain into this channel from adjacent farmland, and erosion is a problem in places; rubbish or debris was also noted occasionally along this stretch. Poaching was also noted adjacent to an area of grassland, as was a manure pile near the channel that could affect water quality.