The little river Stour is a low flow river in England. It runs for 19 miles, it later joins the great Stour at Ashford. It has two main sources, the first lower Greensand and the second chalk. The little Stour river enters the sea at Pegwell Bay. The Stour is 8 metres wide, but reduced to 1 metre wide in the summer. Water is extremely important as we require it for survival. Pollution and therefore water quality may have a number effects on: biodiversity the food supply, oxygen levels and suitability as drinking water.
☼Upstream of the little river Stour is in Ashford. ☼On reaching West Stourmouth there are two river courses. ☼One goes to Nicholas at Wade, and then to Hunters Forstal. ☼The main river flow goes to East Stourmouth, which then goes down Stream to Pegwell Bay where it meets the sea.
Every river has environmental issues, some are easier to be resolved than others. Water abstraction for public use. Demands of the domestic public: Toilet flushing: 35% Baths, showers and wash basins: 28% Kitchen sinks: 15% Washing machine: 12% Outdoor tap: 6% Dishwashers: 4% (Taken from anon, 2002 (Ashford Council))
Other human caused impacts The little river Stour has been manually changed course. It is prone to droughts. In the change of course it has been made to power 4 water mills. Leading to loss of biodiversity, habitats and water leakages into chalk aquifers. Upstream of the river it is in “good state”, but downstream “fair state”. This is because Pfizer’s pharmaceutical company releases their waste water effluent here. Agriculture mainly surrounds the river Stour. It will be subject to leaching of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Metals can leak and contaminate organisms, and cause bioaccumulation build up which may lead to death.
Natural Causes In summer the river is just 1 meter wide, this causes less habitat in water but reed beds flourish around water edge. This caters for example dragonflies and birds. Siltation and drought is a common impact on little Stour and is thought to be why the brown trout fish is declining.
Hydrology was investigated by Environmental Stimulations International Ltd for Southern water company. A agreed benchmark of abstraction would be sought. Channel re-lining and re-profiling. Dredging – keep river flowing freely. River management plan and careful monitoring. Environmentally friendly farming e.g. organic. Fines for companies who dump their waste.
Eutrophication is the leeching of fertilizer (nitrates, phosphates and potassium) into the river. Algae blooms form and block sunlight. Death of macro plants – no photosynthesis Aerobic bacteria break down dead matter Increase in biological oxygen of demand - depletion of oxygen All organisms die accept anaerobic bacteria: the death of a river.
Water should be protected as a valuable source: Recreation Drinking Habitat and biodiversity Water pollution must be prevented or dealt with. By monitoring and taking the necessary actions to resolve any contamination or natural object. The environmental agency takes care of this in the UK. Fines are given to the pollutants but are not big enough to prevent them doing it again. The UK however seem to be on track of having clean waters by2015 as outlined in the water directive. All river must be sustainable for the coming generations.
Anon, unknown,’Kent and medway structure’ accessed at: rg.uk/pdfs/KMSP-WP13.pdf+Little+stour+pollution+impacts&hl=en Anon, 2002, ‘Ashford borough Council and partners Halcrow group limited’ accessed at: ra.gov.uk/our_work/planning/area_studies/ashford/environmental_bac kground_paper_(final_ed).pdf+Little+stour+pollution+impacts&hl=en Ebbs, M., Anon, 'Environmental resources’, accessed at: Frazer, J, 2005, ‘Little Stour’, accessed at: agency.gov.uk/subjects/waters/564321/309477/ /31017/?lang=_e&themr=®ion=&subject=&searchfor=river+ stour