Celebrating 25 Years of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

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GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGEChalk streams are a key feature of the Chilterns AONB landscape,with a total length of approximately 150 km. They are important habitatsfor wildlife, supporting a massive range of plants and animals and arehome to some of the AONB’s most threatened species including otter,water vole and brown trout.Eight major chalk streams have their source within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, flowingsouth-eastwards down the dip slope of the chalk escarpment. The Hughenden Stream, River Wye andHamble Brook flow directly into the River Thames, whilst the River Ver, River Gade, River Bulbourne,River Chess, and River Misbourne flow into the River Colne and then into the River Thames.In addition, there are many (c. 20) small streams that rise from springs along the base of the scarp slopefrom the Ewelme Brook near Wallingford in the south to the Barton and Burwell springs, north of Luton.The Ewelme Brook flows directly into the River Thames, whilst the other streams flow north into theRiver Thame through a predominantly dry landscape. Until recently, little was known about the biodiversityvalue or influence of these tributaries on the River Thame. The partnership project ‘Water in a Dry Landscape’is providing new insights into the water quality and habitat of these streams. (See page 50 for further details).Chalk Streams also have a fascinating history having been used as a natural resource for many thousands ofyears. The valleys through which they flow have supported agriculture, settlement and recreation, and theyhave been shaped and changed by that relationship with humans.10 | CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE CHILTERNS CHALK STREAMS PROJECT
KEYChalk scarp andvale fringesPlateau anddip slopeOVERVIEWSCALETowns0 2.5 5 7.5 10kmThe chalk of the Chilternsstarted to form around145 million years ago duringthe Cretaceous period fromthe remains of tiny calcareousmarine organisms (plankton)settling to the bottom of ashallow sub-tropical sea.250mVale ofAylesbury85mScarp slopeDip slopeWater tableThe chalk layers thatcomprise the former seabedhave been tilted by tectonicforces to create a dip slopethat falls to the south-eastand a steep escarpment(or scarp slope) to thenorth-west. Erosion by wind,rain and ice has created theChiltern Hills that you seetoday.* exaggerated vertical scaleGEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE | 11
Page 1 and 2: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THECHILTERN
Page 3 and 4: FOREWORD2022 marks the 25th anniver
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTSIntroduction 4Milestones of
Page 7 and 8: THE REPORT HAS BEEN SPLIT INTOTHREE
Page 9 and 10: THE TIMELINE ALSOSHOWS HOW THECCSP
Page 11: 2001First watervole Survey2002Produ
Page 15 and 16: OVERVIEWChalk streams have not only
Page 17 and 18: The reasons for these chemicalfailu
Page 19 and 20: 5040Abstraction in the Ver Valley (
Page 21 and 22: WWF-UK, The Wildlife Trusts, The Ri
Page 23 and 24: OVERVIEWMISBOURNE‘Chalk Streams i
Page 25 and 26: RAISING AWARENESSOF THE NEED FORCON
Page 27 and 28: BEFORE DURING AFTERRIVER RESTORATIO
Page 29 and 30: WATER VOLE SURVEYSACTIVITIESWater v
Page 31 and 32: FESTIVALS, FAMILY EVENTSAND CONFERE
Page 33 and 34: ACTIVITIESProject workand school vi
Page 35 and 36: The earliest river flow records fro
Page 37 and 38: River Chess Smarter WaterCatchmentT
Page 39 and 40: The Ewelme Brook is a small chalkst
Page 41 and 42: The River Gade is under pressurefro
Page 43 and 44: The Hamble Brook is an ephemeralstr
Page 45 and 46: The 3.5 km Hughenden Streamis sprin
Page 47 and 48: The Misbourne is an intriguingchalk
Page 49 and 50: 1. Source of the VerThe embryonic R
Page 51 and 52: The Wye flows 17 km fromWest Wycomb
Page 53 and 54: Scarp slope streamsHorsenden BrookH
Page 55 and 56: For the first time in its history,
Page 57 and 58: WAYS YOU CAN HELPRiverfly monitorin
Page 59 and 60: The River Chess at Sarratt BottomFo

Celebrating 25 Years of the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project

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