The Great Stour Project - Introduction

The River Stour – Catchment Background Information

The River

The Kentish Stour Catchment is the second largest in Kent, including the coastline from Herne Bay to Folkestone.   It rises at Lenham, near Maidstone, being joined by the East Stour at Ashford, before making its way through the Chalk of the North Downs towards Canterbury and the sea at Pegwell Bay.

Before reaching the sea it is joined by the Little Stour at Plucks Gutter. The upper reaches of the Little Stour are known as The Nailbourne, a stream which only runs after an extended period of rainfall.

Land use Along the Great Stour

A number of large towns are located within the catchment, with the population estimated at 476,000 by 2001, an increase of 5.6% since 1991.   This resident population doubles in the summer as holidaymakers either head for the beaches of the area, visit historic centres like Canterbury, or pass through the channel ports or the Channel Tunnel.  Probably increasing the population by over 25 million short term visitors, all of whom flush toilets which put a massive burden on the river’s water resources.

The area is perhaps best known for its agriculture, but also supports a significant number of industrial concerns, centred around Ashford and Canterbury.  Mineral extraction is largely restricted to gravel quarrying, leaving a number of areas of open water adjacent to the river, once extraction ceases.

The Wealden Clay underlying the upper reaches of the catchment, prevent water from percolating into the ground, leading to flood risk during periods of heavy rainfall.  The Environment Agency monitors the rivers flow and water inputs from sewage treatment works and other sources.  A number of agricultural users remove water from the river, mostly on the Stour Marshes.

Recreation

The Environment Agency has a responsibility for the health and natural beauty of the river.  Public access to the river is limited over much of its length, although public rights of way run along the river bank through most of Canterbury.  The Stour Valley Walk follows the river valley for much of its course.

Fishing and boating activities are important in the lower tidal reaches of the river, with Richborough Port a small commercial centre near the mouth of the river.

River Management

The river is managed  to prevent flooding and control water use, navigation and abstraction.

Hard engineering solutions involve making the channel more efficient for the removal of flood water, often involving straightening and the creation of smooth concrete lined channels.  Not only is this unattractive but is of limited ecological value and often leads to problems lower downstream.  Modern thinking over river management involves restoring the river’s scenic quality, including planting trees, making the channel more natural and creating natural wetland areas adjacent to the river.  Flood alleviation is still necessary but is designed to be less invasive to the beauty and wildlife of the river.

A number of issues arise due to the demands on the river’s resources.  These include demand for water supply which can be at odds with some arable land uses which may cause high concentrations of nitrate in the water.  Salt water is entering disused coal mines, potentially contaminating the water supply of the area.  Too much abstraction of water, especially in the lower reaches may create problems for navigation, fishing and even drinking water if flow rates drop too low during dry periods.  Abstraction is an issue in the upper reaches also, with rivers such as the Nailbourne dry for prolonged periods.  Landowners are being encouraged to create wetlands and marshes adjacent to the river to offset this problem.

Pollution of the river is constantly monitored by the Environment Agency, but old landfill sites may be ‘ticking time-bombs’. (See Pollution by Colin Baker)

Flooding is a real risk either as a result of increased urban development or due to rises in sea level.  Rainfall in urban areas is quickly diverted into the river through drains, whilst the rise in sea level caused by global warming and subsidence of old coal mining areas, threatens the lower course of the river.(See River and Coastal Flooding by Peter Thorne)

The potential conflict between farming and conservation is significant.  Farmers are under increasing pressure to be more productive and profitable, but their actions may be at odds with the growing numbers of people interested in wildlife, its enjoyment and conservation. This conflict also applies to those wishing to use the river for recreation activities such as fishing, boating and walking.

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