We have developed this simple way to assess how natural a river is.
Take a walk along side the stretch of river you want to assess. Look at it in terms of 4 aspects.
What is the shape of the river? Is it meandering and bendy – then give it a 3, is it straight sided – then give it a 1. If it is in between – give it a 2.
What is the water flow like? Is it varied, trickling over rocks and have deeper and shallower parts – give it a 3, has it been changed by humans so that it just flows uniformly – then give it a 1. If it is in between give it a 2.
What is the water colour like? Can you see the bottom and it is completely clear, allow for a black tea colouring to the water and allow for plant life – give it a 3. If it is cloudy and brown and you can’t see the bottom – give it a 1. If it is inbetween – give it a 2.
What is the plant life and animal life like? Are there trees hanging down into the water, mosses and ferns growing around, allowing for creatures to get out of the water safely – give it a 3, is it bare or even worse, got the same plant growing along the length of the banks – give it a 1. If it is inbetween, give it a 2.
Add up your score and discover how natural your river is.
A4 Be a river detective document
Use this sheet to also decide what you could do next to improve the natural state of this section of river.