A middle Kennet backwater winter waterway run

As long ago as the start of this year, the River Kennet was demonstrating the limitations of its capacity to channel exceptional rainfall in the Valley. 

River Kennet Flood Warning at the start of 2013 from Shoothill FloodAlerts.

The flood warnings of January may have now receded (although there are still current alerts for groundwater flooding in the Aldbourne and Lambourne Valleys in indication of the wider catchment's saturation), but whilst the Kennet is back within its typical range residual levels and seasonal floral dieback have provided the opportunity to explore some lesser paddled riverine Kennet backwaters.

My Facebook post on 15 Feb announcing "Bedtime now: 11 days in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia starting tomorrow" received a response from Mal Grey that "I was just thinking I should get in touch if I paddle the K&A on Sunday as is looking likely!"  It was disappointing not to be able to join, but fortunately Mal took lots of photographs of a good day out.  His blog post of the trip from the Song Of The Paddle forum is, with kind permission, partially reproduced below.

 

"Now, finally, we get to the more adventurous part of the trip. On the way up, we'd seen that we could easily transfer to one of the branches of the natural River Kennet just downstream of Kintbury. The map also confirmed the existence of a river, but didn't confirm if the various bridges were passable or not. Not seemed likely, especially as the railway needed to be crossed and the tracks were about level with our noses. Still, it remained parallel to the canal, escape should be easy enough, so we quickly dropped into the fast flowing stream."

 

 

"Here a couple of chaps exclaimed, slightly grumpily, that we'd never get canoes down that, there were trees blocking the river, etc, etc. I was expecting to prove them right!

What followed was a delightful little branch of the Kennet, just wider than a canoe is long, with lots of little blockages, but no major ones. The flow was nice, but not dangerous, the water deep enough for a paddle but no more, and the saw only had to come out once."

"A bit of bunny-hopping would have been useful."
 

 

 

"This was all great fun!"

 

 

 

 

"The sunlight was softening towards evening, giving a lovely warmth to the woodlands we were passing through. Worryingly, much of the flow kept disappearing off through little sluices into the woods, and our stream was getting smaller."

 

"Ahead, a wonderful old tree appeared."

 

 

"And this marked the start of our difficulties. Here the river did a sharp left, then stopped. Well at first it appeared to, but then I saw a narrow gap in the bank and a right angled turn. Both were about 2 feet wide, we weren't getting down there. Out we all got."

 

 

 

"We dragged over a muddy ditch, then managed to get in again. The river had widened once more, and battle recommenced."

"Suddenly, a larger blockage appeared. It was clear this would involve getting out."

"We did, and Pete scouted ahead. His report was not good. The river was getting narrower and narrower, and more trees blocked the way."

 

"We also realised it was about 20 minutes before sunset, so sadly decided to take the convenient escape route up to the canal at this point, putting in by one of the lovely arched bridges."

 

Another family-orientated run recorded - nice one Mal!

 

The route taken can be viewed on the PaddlePoints website here.

Navigation rights on the Kennet & Avon Canal...

...are not controlled by the Reading and District Anglers Association (RDAA).  But sadly, nobody seems to have told them!

Whilst this blog is not primarily focused on the Kennet and Avon Canal (other than the short sections where it interacts with the River Kennet above the start of the Kennet Navigation in Newbury), and although I'm not especially interested in competitive flat water racing, the monthly online RDAA Information Sheet, which includes the General Secretary's omniscient February Report, was published today, and it contains a short passage which provides a vivid insight into the thinking of some of the river users.

"CANOE RACE

The RDAA match scheduled for Sunday February 3rd will have to be moved due to around 400 to 600 canoes being scheduled to go through the Froxfield stretch on the same Sunday. This was not passed on to us and I only found out from the Thatcham Angling Shop. I have spoken with the Canoe Clubs involved and insisted that they leave the first Sunday in the first three months of the year free for our matches. It would appear that there are more and more of these events appearing especially at this time of the year. It was agreed to reschedule the match to Sunday February 24th in place of the Teams of Four match which will be rescheduled to a date in April.”

1. "400 to 600 canoes"?  That should have the organisers, Newbury Canoe Club, worried, as, if I've counted correctly, the list of pre-entered participating crews (no entries on the day for this particular race) numbers 303 canoes and kayaks of various classes.  Hopefully the number will be higher next year, as, with competitors and their support crews arriving from as far afield as Fowey and Exeter, Worcester, Nottingham and Norwich, it brings valuable income to the local economy at a lean time of the year.

2. "This was not passed on to us and I only found out from the Thatcham Angling Shop."  Perhaps greater willingness to build communications and understanding with other waterways users might help to resolve this - there's not that many canoe clubs running larger scale races on the Kennet.  There is no obligation to advise RDAA or any other angling clubs of race events, although they could just look at the Waterside Series website, where the dates of future races (and we're only talking about four events per annum) are published more than a year in advance.  The Waterside series has been run (with a cancellation in 2001, and occasional date changes due to weather conditions) during approximately the same period of the year since 1999, so it should hardly be a surprise by now.

3. "I have spoken with the Canoe Clubs involved and insisted that they leave the first Sunday in the first three months of the year free for our matches."  The General Secretary was lucky that Newbury Canoe Club was able to confirm future dates that suit all parties - see 2014 Waterside Race dates below.  Perhaps 'requested' or 'negotiated' might have been a more productive approach than "insisted", because the RDAA is not a navigation authority and has absolutely no right to dictate to other river users.  The Canal & River Trust is the legal Navigation Authority for the Kennet & Avon Canal above Newbury Bridge, and also for the Kennet Navigation from Newbury Bridge to a point 65m downstream of the High Bridge at Reading.

 

4. "It would appear that there are more and more of these events appearing especially at this time of year."  Apart from the predictable Waterside Series, there's Reading Canoe Club's Thameside 1 race from Aldermaston Wharf down the canalised Navigation to Reading on the 10th February this year (about 60 crews currently registered to participate), and then there's the...  oh, that's it (as far as I know).  Perhaps the General Secretary has confused recreational canoeists and kayakers on the Kennet with some sort of poorly attended 'slow boat' race event.  It would be an understandable mistake given that the RDAA President, Martin Salter, works for the Angling Trust; they recently equated "open canoeing" with some sort of semi-underground campaign of civil disobedience.

 

A few dates and details for future reference:

• Race A will take place tomorrow between Great Bedwyn and Newbury.  The course is 13½ miles and includes 21 portages.
• Race B: 17 February - Newbury to Aldermaston & back (17.5 miles incl. 19 portages).
• Race C: 3 March - Pewsey to Newbury (23 miles incl. 35 portages).
• Race D: 17 March - Devizes to Newbury (34 miles incl. 35 portages).

The Waterside Series Races for 2014 are scheduled to take place as follows:

• Race A: 23 February 2014.
• Race B: 9 March 2014.
• Race C: 23 March 2014.
• Race D: 6 April 2014. 

The Waterside Series is regarded as a “warm-up” for the 125 mile Devizes to London International Canoe Race, which, as in previous years, takes place over the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Easter weekend in 2013.

 

It won't bother anglers who will be enjoying the closed season rest...  hang on, haven't I used that line before somewhere?

River Kennet Winter Wonderland

No tags or comments, just a selection of photo's from the upper and middle River Kennet running downstream from West Kennett to Hamstead Mill on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

Paddling past the Fobney Island (very) Wetland Nature Reserve

With the River Kennet uncharacteristically maintaining above average levels, there are a few places where some of the normal restrictions on paddling have been temporarily suspended, providing a brief window of opportunity to experience a small change of tempo from the comparatively predictable experience of the Navigation's cut sections.

The Fobney Island Wetland Nature Reserve still has some way to go before it fulfils its potential as an easily accessible conservation and wildlife haven just minutes from the center of Reading, but it's already demonstrating its ability to respond as a repository of  increasingly unpredictable rain fall and river flow rates.

The temporary map at the eastern entrance to the reserve indicates the expectation that the reserve will normally maintain refuge level pools to benefit a range of fauna and flora.  Not a great photo, so the text reads as follows:

"In 2011 the Environment Agency, Reading Borough Council, Thames Water and the Thames Rivers Trust worked in partnership to improve Fobney Island for wildlife and for nature-based recreation.  The Berkshire Ornithological Club and the Reading and District Angling Association provided specialist advice throughout the project.  Previously the site was ecologically poor rough grassland.  Now, it is a mosaic of wetland, wildflower meadow, hay meadow and reed bed habitats.

The first phase of the project lowered the land to create wetland features that, at certain times of the year, will be in connection with the River Kennet to the south of the island.  This has improved the site for birds, bats, fish, reptiles and amphibians.

During spring 2012 scrub planting and grass and wildflower seeding was done to further improve the site for wildlife.

The site is divided roughly into two sections.  The Eastern Wetland features (closest to Fobney Lock) were designed to be in connection with the groundwater and should remain 'wetted' for most of the year.  In contrast, the Western wetland scrapes (towards the pylon) were formed to be in connection with the river in periods of high flow but then slowly to drain down during the spring and summer.  These scrapes are expected to be temporary or 'ephemeral' features because they are reliant on surface water.  When the river is in flood, they provide a vital temporary refuge for fish.

The river has also been restored to a more natural state through the introduction of two new riffle features - areas of shallow gravel that provide ideal spawning grounds for fish such as chub, dace and barbel. 

On the south bank of the river, lifting and thinning the crowns of the trees has let more light into the river channel.  This helps plant species to become established.  Five trees have been dropped into the river channel to create 'woody debris' features which create more diverse flows within the river.

A new footpath has also been installed to create easy public access to the Eastern Wetland site, and two bird hides provide views across the new wetland features.  There is no public access to most of the Western Wetland, to ensure undisturbed protection of wildlife.

DOG WALKERS are welcome anywhere on the Eastern Wetland, but are asked not to allow dogs to cross into the Western Wetland at any time.  A dog bin is provided at the entrance near Fobney Lock.

PLEASE KEEP THE SITE CLEAR OF ALL LITTER, which can be very harmful to wildlife. 

THE FRIENDS OF FOBNEY ISLAND is a group of volunteers who help to maintain, monitor and consult on the use of this site.  If you are interested in joining the Friends group, or helping with volunteer tasks, please call reading Borough Council's Parks Department on 0800 626540.  Please use the same number to report incidents."

Although it's not explicitly stated, there are several pieces of information contained in the above sign text which will help you judge whether to paddle down this section, but the two key factors are water levels and the time of year.  A few pictures + a little knowledge should help with the decision.

The remodelling of Fobney Island didn't include a canoe pass past the sawtooth weir but, as you portage past, the volume of water flowing over and the remaining height down to the new river level gives a good indication of whether it's good to go.

Comparative low flow (from June 2010) and high flow (from January 2013) at Fobney Weir's saw teeth.

Comparative low flow (from November 2011) and high flow (from January 2013) looking back up to Fobney Weir from the right bank put-in.

Comparative low level (from June 2010) and high level (from January 2013) bank heights at the put-in river right below Fobney Weir.

Comparative low levels (from June 2010) and high levels (from January 2013) of the River Kennet viewed from the footbridge at Fobney Weir.

Comparative low levels (from June 2010) and high levels (from January 2013) of the River Kennet viewed looking downstream of Fobney Weir pool, left bank above the top of the Western Wetland.

The above images should provide a fairly easy indication of whether there's sufficient water to paddle without scraping the bottom, particularly now that the riverine section below the weir pool the river has been remodelled with "two new riffle features - areas of shallow gravel that provide ideal spawning grounds for fish such as chub, dace and barbel." 

Dace will start spawning from early March in cold, shallow water when they congregate over gravel that is just sufficiently under water to cover them.  Once their eggs are fertilised they take about three weeks to hatch because of the lower water temperature.  Chub are similar in their spawning behaviour to Dace, but they don't get it on until somewhere between the start of May and mid-June, so their eggs only take about 3 days to hatch in the warmer water.  Barbel don't tend to spawn until between May till July.  However, whilst the eggs hatch within a week, the young Barbel continue living within the gravel for several weeks. 

What this essentially means for paddlers is that if there's not sufficient clearance with the river bed between March and August, the canalised cut is the best bypass route downstream.  This might seem frustrating when the riverine route is free of anglers between the mid-March and mid-June closed coarse fishing season, but the upside is that if there is sufficient water to make the run without environmental harm there's a good chance that it will have driven the fishing folk onto the canal. 

At times when both paddlers and anglers can use the river together, note that most fishing just below the weir will be from the left bank - even at intermediate levels the pool should be wide enough to avoid entanglement with lines - whilst once onto the narrower river section anglers now fish from the right bank and may be hidden by the trees.  If you spot a line or camo clothing at such times, normal river etiquette applies.

Once onto the river channel, beware the "five trees [that] have been dropped into the river channel to create 'woody debris' features which create more diverse flows within the river", and keep in mind that during high flows additional hazardous debris may have washed down and the number of tree 'falls' may have increased.  Keeping river left should help with safer navigation.

A potential strainer shown at high water levels on the River Kennet south of Fobney Island.

A couple of final pictures serve to demonstrate what high water levels at Fobney Island currently look like.

The view looking upstream, and west towards the flooded Western Wetland, from the unsurfaced public footpath by the riverine section of the Kennet on the Eastern Wetland section.  The river runs alongside the tree line; the ingress of water into the flooded relief pools should not be paddled. Does that pylon have a problem?

The gauge below Fobney Lock reflects what's coming down the canal cut and the riverine course.  Note that the disappearance of the mooring platform by the old pumping station is a good sign that paddling levels are good. 

New year high levels for the River Kennet Navigation Newbury to Thatcham

Whether using the Kennet Navigation as the means of a circular route around, or simply as access to the Chamberhouse loop, the canalised and riverine run down the Kennet between Newbury and Thatcham has started 2013 at an unusually high level. 

The convergence of the river section that flows down from Hambridge to join the cut at Bull's Lock normally demonstrates reasonably consistent levels, but the current height of the water may create a few unexpected minor changes of plan for paddlers.

Typical gauge readings at the tow path footbridge below Bull's Lock...

...are not matched by current conditions.  The river is approximately .5m higher than normal.

If you were to put in on the section of the river upstream of the footbridge (which appears to have had many of the former tree falls cleared recently, should you be paddling down from Hambridge)...

...you would quickly be faced with limboing under the bridge in the relatively fast flowing water (viewed here from downstream of the bridge on the flooded far bank of the lock exit).

It's probably therefore currently easier to just put in directly after the bridge and below the lock.

The current flow rates will enable a quick journey down to the weir marking the start of the Chamberhouse loop (river right just before Widmead Lock), but please be aware that this riverine section is currently substantially higher and broader than might normally be anticipated.

The Chamberhouse loop has flowed out of its banks around the footbridge at SU 511 657.  The bridge, which appears to have suffered damage from a tree-strike, is passable river right.

The drainage channels that run to the north of the loop (river left) have also inundated swathes of surrounding land and merged with the river (in the foreground at the bottom of the southern Kennet Valley escarpment) before reaching Chamberhouse Farm.

The river is just about back in its banks by the time it reaches the bridge at Chamberhouse Farm, viewed here looking upstream...

...and downstream.

The return channel from the river to the canal cut near Thatcham station from below Monkey Marsh Lock.

For anyone wishing to return upstream to Newbury/make a circular route by use of the canal cut, portaging at Monkey Marsh Lock, Monkey Marsh bridge (not enough room to get under it) and Widmead Lock is currently very easy as the Navigation is also extremely high.