River Management By Mike Greaves, 14 August 2007 The heavy rain during the last several months has caused a number of spates which have brought down several trees. Therefore, a significant part of the work done during the year has involved removing these and clearing the associated debris. It has been gratifying to see so many volunteers turning out and working hard in often difficult circumstances. Their efforts have kept the river in its usual glorious condition.
As usual the vegetation on the banks of the river has received attention to keep access open and to prevent establishment and spread of Himalayan Balsam. Our efforts here seem to be paying dividends and this pernicious weed is much less evident than in previous years. However, we must remain vigilant and remove any surviving plants before they shed seed. There is a large ‘bank’ of seeds in the soil and, unfortunately, seed from upstream of Damery will be washed down into our stretch of the river. These seeds will continue to germinate for some years yet necessitating continued control efforts.
As you are aware consent was given by the Environment Agency to repair the weir at the downstream end of the Damery beat. So far it has not been possible to complete this work due to a combination of spates and lack of suitable stone. Hansons have agreed to supply suitable stone free of charge, for which we are most grateful, and we hope to complete the re-building of the weir in the near future.
As reported on the website, we were visited in June by Alan Don, Fisheries Technical Officer for Wessex Region of the Environment Agency. He spent considerable time looking at much of the river and discussing with us our management plans. At the time we felt he was favourably disposed to what we were doing and this was confirmed in the letter he subsequently wrote to us.
As said in the last management report, the Environment Agency is reviewing the abstraction from the River Little Avon ( Little Avon Catchment Abstraction Strategy). We have heard that, as a result of the Resource Assessment Management Process, the Agency feel that further water is available for abstraction from the river. This astonishing conclusion is the result of a statistical exercise and wider issues to be addressed in a Sustainability Appraisal may reverse it. In the meantime the conclusion has been vigorously contested by ourselves and the Charfield Angling Association. We can only hope that wiser council than that in the Resource Assessment will prevail.
getation on the banks of the river has received attention to keep access open and to prevent establishment and spread of Himalayan Balsam. Our efforts here seem to be paying dividends and this pernicious weed is much less evident than in previous years. However, we must remain vigilant and remove any surviving plants before they shed seed. There is a large ‘bank’ of seeds in the soil and, unfortunately, seed from upstream of Damery will be washed down into our stretch of the river. These seeds will continue to germinate for some years yet necessitating continued control efforts. 
e agreed to supply suitable stone free of charge, for which we are most grateful, and we hope to complete the re-building of the weir in the near future.
