Following on from their 2009 Rivers on the Edge campaign, the WWF have today released Riverside tales.
The report highlights the environmental damage caused to the Upper Kennet (and other chalkstream rivers) from over-abstraction, and notes that "despite the Environment Agency and water companies agreeing to reduce over-abstraction, funding has not yet been secured to make this happen."
See the previous posts on "The upper reach of the River Kennet" and "Snow flow at Swallowhead springs" for other images of the Kennet displaying how 'normal' seasonal variations in aquifer levels affect the Kennet and keep in mind how these levels may be significantly affected by over-abstraction.
Whilst you're reading why not test your local knowledge by identifying the location of the images at 1.04 -1.08 seconds in the Rivers on the Edge video and on pages 4 & 5 of the report.
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The Lower Reach from Newbury to Reading (and some other bits about the rest of this river)
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Introduction to this blog
Following the Kennet Navigation Act of 1715 the River Kennet was partially canalised between Reading and Newbury. Some sections of the navigation shared the 'old' route of the river, whilst new sections were dug to avoid some of the more tortuous detours and mills. Today the Kennet and Avon Canal is regularly used by canoeists and kayakers (most famously as part of the annual Devizes to Westminster race), but for anyone who'd like to escape from the uniformity of the slow water, this guide focuses on some sections of the river that are less often paddled.
The waters described here are all Grade 0/1, sluices frequently block the route, and there's plenty of other natural and man-made obstructions, but don't let that stop you from enjoying a more interesting day out than you would by sticking to the canal.
This guide has been created to promote the right to paddle the River Kennet, and to give you some ideas as to where to do so if you are so inclined.
The blog was inspired by the Canoeing and Kayaking The Bristol Avon blog and The River Avon blog (see links), and shares the sentiment that our rivers are a resource that may be responsibly enjoyed by all (despite what some people may tell you).
The waters described here are all Grade 0/1, sluices frequently block the route, and there's plenty of other natural and man-made obstructions, but don't let that stop you from enjoying a more interesting day out than you would by sticking to the canal.
This guide has been created to promote the right to paddle the River Kennet, and to give you some ideas as to where to do so if you are so inclined.
The blog was inspired by the Canoeing and Kayaking The Bristol Avon blog and The River Avon blog (see links), and shares the sentiment that our rivers are a resource that may be responsibly enjoyed by all (despite what some people may tell you).
Labels
- General background info 2012 (13)
- Lower reach guide - news 2012 (13)
- General background info 2010 (12)
- Lower reach guide - news 2010 (11)
- Lower reach guide - news 2011 (10)
- Lower reach guide pre-2010 (8)
- General background info 2011 (7)
- Lower reach guide - news 2013 (7)
- General background info pre-2010 (6)
- General background info 2013 (5)
- River Kennet flora and fauna (5)
- Lower reach guide - news 2014 (4)
- Middle reach guide - news 2010 (2)
- Paddling in the wake of history (2)
- Upper reach - news 2013 (2)
- General background info 2014 (1)
- Middle reach guide - news 2012 (1)
- Middle reach guide - news 2013 (1)
Paddling links
- Action for Access rivers map
- Caffyn on Rivers - The historical basis of legal navigation
- Canoeing and Kayaking the Bristol Avon
- Ceufad Access Special
- Home page of Canoe Wales
- Paddle Points
- River Access For All campaign
- Shoothill FloodAlerts
- SOTP Access Forum
- The River Avon Salisbury to Christchurch
- The UK Rivers Guide Book
- Welsh Rivers Guide
- You, Your Canoe and the Environment
Canoeing and kayaking are 'Assumed Risk' activities that may carry attendant risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement.
Apologies for some of the spacing between the text, photos and captions. I just gave up on trying to reconcile the difference between the supposed WYSIWYG edit mode and a published post.
Finally thanks to Gary, Mark, Keith, Jen ("Don't grab the tree...don't grab the...OK. I'll go and collect your paddle.") and Rachael ("Keep your distance from your mother...Keep back...OK. I'll go and collect your paddle too.") for your company and help on the sections we paddled together.
Finally thanks to Gary, Mark, Keith, Jen ("Don't grab the tree...don't grab the...OK. I'll go and collect your paddle.") and Rachael ("Keep your distance from your mother...Keep back...OK. I'll go and collect your paddle too.") for your company and help on the sections we paddled together.
Canoe and kayak suppliers
Canoe and kayak suppliers