In 2024 The Rivers Trust published a report ‘The State of Our Rivers‘. The data, collected by the Rivers Trust, shows that none of England’s rivers are achieving “high” overall status, the highest ranking available. And none are achieving “good” overall status either, the second highest ranking available. The report also measures English rivers for ecological health to evaluate what is living in the river, and the presence, absence and abundance of species. Researchers found more than four-fifths (85%) of rivers fail to reach good ecological standards; and only 15% achieve good ecological health status. The report makes for worrying reading.
Despite the fact that our rivers in this area are classified as achieving ‘moderate’ to ‘good’ ecological status, this doesn’t appear to be confirmed by local experience. A number of people in the Bewcastle Benefice have expressed concern over the state of our rivers that comprise the Lyne catchment, including the absence of fish that were once abundant. They would like to meet with others who share a similar concern. This includes all the tributaries of the Lyne, such as the Bailey Water, Bothrigg Burn, Kirk Beck, the Rae Burn and the Hether Burn, as well as the Black and White Lynes and all the smaller tributaries.
If you have specific historical knowledge of the conditions of our burns and becks, including the numbers and type of fish that used to be, or perhaps still are, present at particular locations, it would be very helpful to compile these into a descriptive history of the catchment. We are also looking to start monitoring the condition of our rivers by, for example, learning how to identify the different invertebrates (river fly larvae – training would be provided).
If this is an area of interest to you, or if you have knowledge you are willing to share, please do get in touch with me – either by leaving a reply to this message (below), by emailing me at Robert.Brown@BewcastleHouseOfPrayer.org.uk, or leaving a message on our answerphone (see Contact page). If there is sufficient interest we will organise a meeting for later in the summer.
1 comment
Hello
We own a house near Rackbridge in Hethersgill. The deeds to our house include access to the River Lyne, along with fishing rights along a third of a mile of it.
We are interested in your project and would certainly attend a meeting.