Taking action for rivers

Like many rivers in the UK, stretches of our local waterways are in poor condition. In fact, only 15% of England's rivers are rated in good ecological health.

Pollution & sewage

Pollution from agricultural and road run-off bring sediment and harmful chemicals to push water quality down. Sewage discharges degrade water quality, increase nutrient levels, damage aquatic ecosystems, and poses significant health risks to people and wildlife.

Abstraction

Over-abstraction (removing water from rivers for human use) can cause increased toxicity levels and lack of water for aquatic life. Reduction of tree cover leads to higher water temperatures and consequently low oxygen levels harmful to fish.

Invasive species

Non-native invasive species have a negative impact on river ecosystems. These range from animals such as the American Signal Crayfish, which has wiped out our native White-clawed Crayfish, to plants such as Floating Pennywort, which can choke rivers and deoxygenate water.

Rivers are vital habitats for many wildlife species such as Otters and Kingfishers, as well as a many fish, amphibians and invertebrates. 

Waterways also act as wildlife super-highways, connecting different habitats and allowing many species to travel across the landscape to feed and breed.

Rivers are vital for humans too, providing us with source of clean drinking water, as well as recreational activities. They are of huge cultural significance, inspiring artworks, songs and books.

The Wey catchment

The River Wey is made up of two main branches: the North Wey and the South Wey.

The North Wey rises near Alton in Hampshire and flows through Upper Froyle, Bentley and Farnham. The South Wey rises near Haslemere in West Sussex.

The two branches meet at Tilford in Surrey. From here, the river continues towards Godalming and Guildford, flowing through the Surrey Hills National Landscape before joining the River Thames at Weybridge.

Along its journey, the Wey links rural landscapes, towns, villages and important green spaces across Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey.

The Mole catchment

The River Mole rises west of Crawley in West Sussex. It then flows north through Surrey before joining the River Thames at Molesey, opposite Hampton Court Palace.

In its upper reaches, the Mole is fed by a network of tributaries. These include the Gatwick Stream, Stanford Brook and Burstow Stream.

The river flows through and near Horley, Dorking, Leatherhead and Esher. Along the way, it passes through historic and wildlife-rich areas, including Norbury Park, Nutfield Marsh and the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

Together, the Mole and its tributaries form a diverse catchment. It includes rural landscapes, towns, woodlands, wetlands and important green spaces.