UK rivers and chalk streams

Our rivers are arguably our most important natural features. Not only do they help make the British landscape so picturesque and vibrant, they’ve been crucial for the growth of our towns and cities, providing fresh water for drinking and farming, and for our business and transport over centuries.

Some of our most beautiful rivers are ‘chalk streams’. Their pure, clear, constant water from underground chalk aquifers and springs, flowing across flinty gravel beds, make them perfect sources of clean water – and ideal for lots of wild creatures to breed and thrive. We’re lucky because the majority of the world’s chalk streams are found in England.

But far too many of our waterways have been overused and undervalued. Drained almost dry in places, and polluted in others. Less than a fifth of England’s rivers are healthy, and climate change is putting more pressure on them. Our rivers need help.

Our rivers not only help make the British landscape so picturesque and vibrant, they’re also a vital source of fresh water for people, industry, farming and wildlife.

Our chalk streams are unique – there are only about 200 chalk streams in the world, and most of them are in the southern half of England (with a few in France). Which makes them all the more special.

But a combination of population growth and a spiralling increase in water use have put huge pressure on our rivers and streams. And research shows that a third of the water we take from rivers is wasted.

We can turn this around – we know that our rivers can keep providing water for people and nature if we look after them properly. Help us keep our rivers healthy!

Watery wonders or ruined rivers? The State of England’s Chalk Streams report provides a health check for our chalk streams and reveals that over three quarters of them are not in good health.

From 2014 to 2017 we led the exciting WaterLIFE project with The Rivers Trust and Westcountry Rivers Trust to improve the health of our rivers.  We produced a wealth of guidance, reports, findings, films, case studies and learnings.  To communicate and disseminate these materials, we have built WaterLIFE legacy pages into the website of the Catchment Based Approach.  A narrative guides users to almost 40 downloadable resources across three themed areas: engaging local communities in river health; engaging business in the water environment; and infuencing decision-makers and legislation. Access these resources here.