Rivers and streams

Our streams, rivers, and wetlands are home to some incredible wildlife, but these important habitats are under great pressure.

We're lucky to have stunning, wildlife-rich rivers and streams flowing through the heart of our counties. These much-loved places are home to scurrying water voles, elusive otters, darting damselflies, and a whole host of other species.

Kingfisher on a branch — Kingfisher © Jon Hawkins

Rivers under threat

Pollution, water being taken for our drinking supplies, and changes to the ways rivers and land around them are managed are all having an impact. It's estimated that more than half of our freshwater species are now in decline.

Keeping rivers flowing for wildlife

We're pushing for new measures to:

Keep our rivers clean and free from fertilisers, sediment and other pollutants
Reduce the impacts of water taken from our rivers for our taps
Restore habitats for wildlife along river banks
Work with rivers and their floodplains to improve habitat for wildlife and protect lives and property

Watercress and Winterbournes

We're proud to be a partner in this five-year Landscape Partnership Scheme, which brings together 16 organisations to protect, enhance, and celebrate seven Hampshire chalk streams. These precious habitats are vanishing rare on a global scale, but when healthy can support an amazing diversity of wildlife. In collaboration with with local communities, the partners are working to create large-scale change for these iconic waters.

Find out more

Winnall Moors Nature Reserve

Our Winnall Moors nature reserve has reduced the impact of flooding in Winchester. By allowing the water meadows to flood - using sluices and carriers to direct excess water into the meadows - we’ve dramatically reduced the speed by which flood water enters the city.

At the same time our conservation work has seen wildlife like otter, water vole and a host of bird life flourish at the reserve.