Flooding

In the past rain took much longer to reach the river as the hillsides, wetlands and fields were covered with peat and moss meaning that the water filtered slowly through the land to the river.

These wetland areas acted like a sponge, absorbing water during heavy rainfall and releasing water during dry periods. Now many hillsides have been afforested and wetlands and agricultural land drained. This can cause "flash" floods, as the water enters the river more quickly. Channelised sections of river and artificial flood banks also add to this problem.

The Trust has a student carrying out a PhD looking at the impacts of wetlands on high and low flows.