Aims
- To increase awareness and active participation in the conservation of rivers and streams
- To increase water and habitat quality
Introduction
Rivers and streams provide important habitat for a range of aquatic and wetland species. These watercourses, and the associated terrestrial environment through which they flow, also form important links between habitats, providing wildlife/habitat corridors. Areas where habitats join can be highly diverse, and in the case of rivers, can support a wide range of plant and animal life associated with both wet and dry habitat types. The waterways also serve a number of recreational functions providing relaxing places for fishing, walking, cycling, bird watching and, of course, boating.
The watercourses flowing through Waltham Forest are all associated with the River Lea (or Lee), but each has its own distinct character. The River Lea forms, for the greater part, the western boundary of the borough, flowing past the numerous reservoirs constructed in the Lea Valley between 1893 and 1951. Linked to the Lea, the Flood Relief Channel, built during the 1950's, has so far prevented a repetition of the flooding that took place in 1947. The Old River Lea forms the borough boundary with Hackney at Hackney Marshes, and follows the original course of the River Lea from Lea Bridge weir. At Hackney Marshes the Flood Relief Channel joins the Old River Lea.
The Coppermill Stream flows between the southern reservoirs, then along the west side of Walthamstow Marshes, through Springfield Marina where it enters the Lea. The Ching Brook, located in the northern part of the Borough, arises at Connaught Water and flows south then west to enter the River Lea to the north of Banbury Reservoir. The Dagenham Brook, flows from the Flood Relief Channel at North Access Road and enters the Old River Lea by New Spitalfields Market.
Current Status
The River Lea arises from springs near Luton and flows south, joining the River Thames at Bow Creek. In Waltham Forest the Lea is clearly urban in character, its course confined between canalised banks with low, vertical walls. This creates a sharp transition between the river and terrestrial habitats. A towpath along the length of the river provides a pleasant accessible route for walkers and cyclists. The river supports a number of aquatic species, including arrowhead (Sagittaria sagittifolia) and yellow water lily (Nuphar lutea). A relatively recent arrival, floating pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides), a native of temperate North America, is posing problems in stretches of the river by virtue of its rapid growth rate, which can effectively blanket watercourses, suppressing all other wildlife.
Bird life is abundant along the river. Canada and Greylag geese, swans, coots, moorhens, mallards and heron are regular features, with great-crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus), little grebe and kingfisher having seasonal occurrence. At dusk, pipistrelles and noctules feed over the river at Springfield.
The water quality of the Lea deteriorates suddenly below Tottenham Lock, where discharges from sewage works, run-off from roads and discharges from industrial premises and boats render the quality 'poor' (EA, 1999).
The Flood Relief Channel is a wide concrete culvert, designed to carry flood waters away as quickly as possible. The result is a channel devoid of much wildlife, apart from waterfowl.
The River Ching has two guises. In its northern reaches it flows through the open space of Epping Forest and Highams Park in tight meanders, where it forms part of the Epping Forest Site of Metropolitan Importance. Along its earth banks large, mature trees, such as crack willow (Salix fragilis), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), oak (Quercus robur), hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), cast a deep shade. Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), spindle (Euonymus europaeus), dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) and purple willow (Salix purpurea) can be found here. Shade, in conjunction with the many feet that walk along the river's edge, severely limits the growth of aquatic and bankside vegetation. In more open areas dog violet (Viola riviniana), wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), and goldilocks buttercup (Ranunculus auricomus) can be found. Mandarin duck have been seen here along with freshly hatched banded damoiselle. As it starts to flow west, the Ching becomes an urbanised, yet still pleasant, watercourse, flowing in culverts between housing, under roads and through open spaces, sections of which have adjacent footpaths. This stretch of the brook is designated a Site of Borough Importance. Dumping and rubbish are present in the river and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), dominates sections of bank. Throughout its length the water in the river is clear.
The Coppermill Stream, part of the Site of Metropolitan Importance, has its most natural aspect as it skirts Walthamstow Marsh and flows into Springfield Marina. Here, the stream flows through low-lying land on either side, and supports stands of common reed (Phragmites australis), reedmace (Typha latifolia) and reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima). Swans, coots, moorhens, mallards and kingfisher frequent this stretch of the stream. The banks support a dense vegetation of trees - crack and grey willows (Salix fragilis) and S. cinerea, scrub - Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), elder (Sambucus nigra), and bramble (Rubus fruticosus), and a tall herb vegetation dominated by Russian comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum). Sedge warblers and whitethroats can be seen singing from their perches during the summer months.
The Dagenham Brook, designated a site of Local Importance, is, perhaps, the most urbanised of the borough's waterways, and suffers accordingly. Its narrow channel flows through some peaceful areas of open space, i.e. by St. James's Park and between Marsh Lane and the River Lea, but also between housing and past industrial and retail developments. Urban run-off and drains from industrial units, both pollute the brook and raise nutrient levels. This, at times, gives the brook an unpleasant look and smell. The pollution-tolerant fennel-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus), can choke the channel during the summer months. There are few other aquatic species in the brook, but bank re-profiling by the Environment Agency, created shelves which have been planted with wetland species.
Fly-tipping is a major problem in the area between Marsh Lane and Ive Farm Lane. This, primarily, affects the terrestrial areas close to the brook, but dumped material frequently finds its way into the brook through both accidental and deliberate means. Vandalism has also resulted in cars being dumped and burnt out by the brook. Being an area much disturbed by development and landfill, sections of the steep banks of the brook are dominated by dense stands of Japanese knotweed. In places, another exotic species, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has colonised parts of the water's edge.
Despite these problems, a variety of wildlife can be spotted along the brook. These include a number of birds, including kingfisher and long-tailed tit, wren and robin, as well as fox and rabbit.
Specific factors affecting the habitat
Development
All of the borough's waterways have been constrained by development of various types, and this, in turn, has led to a range of flood-prevention measures along their courses. These activities have either destroyed or severely disrupted the natural flows and aquatic and wetland species that would once have flourished along the river banks and adjoining floodplain. The attraction of waterways for the location of housing and business, and their encroaching development, deprives some waterways of any natural buffer zone that could support wildlife populations.
Water Quality
Eutrophication and pollution is a major problem, particularly in the River Lea below Tottenham Lock, and in the Dagenham Brook. Nitrates and phosphates arising from sewage works, particularly storm-waters, raise nutrient-levels which increases weed growth and organic activity. This can, particularly in warm weather, de-oxygenate the water, killing fish and other aquatic organisms. Excessive weed growth can also prevent or limit light reaching the lower levels of the watercourse, thus restricting the growth of other species. The increased silt-load brought in to rivers from sources, such as road run-off also prevents light filtering through the water.
Dumping/Rubbish
Unfortunately, urban waterways are frequently a focus for rubbish dumping, fly-tipping and vandalism. This and the wind-blown litter that finds its way into rivers and streams, is unsightly can be a threat to wildlife, as well as posing a flood risk.
Bankside management
Although the borough's rivers and streams have been adversely affected by urbanisation, appropriate management of the adjoining habitats, no matter how limited in extent, can improve the value of the waterway environment for wildlife.
Conflicts between Recreational Use and Wildlife Resource
Rivers and streams have a great attraction for people, who enjoy the waterways in a number of ways - walking, fishing, cycling, boating, observing wildlife. Sometimes these activities conflict with each other and can be detrimental to the wildlife of the waterways.
Problem Species
A number of introduced species of plant and animal pose problems for wildlife and/or people along the waterways. Plant species include Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzanium), whose hairs and sap have a phytotoxic effect, causing severe blistering; Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), which can form dense stands and is easily spread by fragments of root and stem; and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), also readily spread through the water dispersal of its explosive seeds. Fortunately, in the borough the problem posed by these species is limited to a few areas - primarily along part of the Old River Lea, where Giant Hogweed forms dense stands on the steep, but inaccessible banks of the river, Japanese knotweed occupies a limited area, and Himalayan balsam has colonised the river edges. The greatest extent of Japanese knotweed is present along the Dagenham Brook near Ive Farm Lane.
Current Action
Legal Status
The Lea, along with the Regent's and Grand Union Canals, has been designated a Site of Metropolitan Importance.
Much of the Ching is designated as a Green Chain in the current Unitary Development Plan (Deposit draft 2002). Stretches of the brook are designated as Principle Site of Nature Conservation Importance.
The Dagenham Brook is designated a site of Local Nature Conservation Importance in the south of the borough.
Management and Restoration
Along the Dagenham Brook bank re-profiling by the Environment Agency, has created shelves which have been planted with wetland species. Lea Rivers Trust have been working with conservation volunteers to clear rubbish and control invasive species in the Marsh Lane and Ive Farm Lane areas bounding the brook. The Environment Agency have undertaken a programme to track misconnections to the watercourse.
The entire length of the Dagenham Brook has been mapped, showing stands of invasive species and the nature of the adjoining land. The council and LRT are working on a programme to provide advice to industries in the immediate vicinity of the brook, including advice on pollution prevention and habitat enhancement.
Both the Ching and the River Lea have been developed as popular Green Routes, for walkers and cyclists, bringing people close to the wildlife associated with these watercourses. The Ching has been surveyed for signs of water vole activity (none were found).
Heritage Waterways Lottery Funded Scheme included various interpretive events based around waterways in Waltham Forest and other London Boroughs. Several of these were awareness raising events concerning local wildlife.
Mechanisms targeting the habitat
LEAP
London Plan (is there a rivers and streams HAP)
LVRP Biodiversity Action Plan - includes HAP for River Lea, Otter Species Action
Water vole Plan
Key species
Plants - black poplar, arrowhead, goldilocks, broad buckler, male fern, broad buckler fern
Birds - kingfisher, heron
Mammals - water vole, pipistrelle and noctule bats
Invertebrates - banded damoiselle
Reptiles - grass snake
Objectives, action and targets
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establish regular liaison between all waterway managers | 2003 | LBWF | WFBAPP |
| Collate existing species and landownership information | 2004 | WFBAPP | LRT, LVRP, C of L, LBWF |
| Identify gaps and arrange surveys | 2005 | WFBAPP | LBWF |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Develop policy and a plan for controlling invasive species | 2004 | WFBAPP | EA, TW, Greenspace, LV, C of L, LRT |
| Map where new planting, coppicing or clearance work etc would be beneficial | 2004 | WFBAPP | EA, TW, Greenspace, Cof L, LRT |
| Identify sources of funding for management works | 2004 | WFBAPP | |
| Programme management work | 2005 | WFBAPP | EA Greenspace |
| Identify pollution sources | 2004 | EA | TW |
| Install barrier and gates to prevent vehicles accessing Marsh Lane and Ive Farm Lane | 2003 | Greenspace | |
| Consider controlling access round waterways to allow vegetation to regenerate | 2003 | C of L | WFBAPP |
| Action | Target Date | Lead | Other Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact riparian owners regarding suitable planting and management of land alongside waterways | 20% of owners each year till 2007 | LBWF | |
| Consider installation of interpretation boards at suitable sites | 2005 | C of L, LV LBWF |
|
| Put HAP on the website | 2003 | LBWF |
