Catchment area 22.6km2, length 13.9km. Not designated artificial or heavily modified.

 

Waterbody description

The waterbody flows in a northerly direction from Bower Bridge, past the village of Coleshill towards Lechlade, where it joins the Thames. Modifications include a weir and land drainage, ditch infrastructure and channel straightening.

 

Land Use and designations

Initially the waterbody passes alongside woodland at Watchfield Common Wood (Nature Reserve) and farmland. The catchment also contains Coleshill Park, the eastern side of the town of Highworth and a solar farm at Upper Inglesham.

 

Flora and Fauna

 

Conclusions and issues

 

Water Framework Directive

From 2013 to 2016, under cycle 2, the overall status became Moderate (previously Poor) according to ecological elements. Phosphates have been Poor from sewage discharge since 2014 and Moderate for macrophytes and phytobenthos due to sewage discharge and diffuse pollution from agricultural and land management.

 

http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB106039023730

 

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