22km of Catchment Walkovers were carried out in early 2025 on behalf of the Mid Stour Farming Cluster, Dorset. Sections of the main River Stour, along with several tributaries, were surveyed, with positive and negative indicators mapped, as well as options for management changes and opportunities for river enhancement. The results were summarised in an online mapping portal and through a concise one-page summary for each landowner.
Catchment Walkover Requirements
The Mid Stour Farming Cluster is one of over 100 farming clusters in England, all of which are dedicated to sustainable and environmentally friendly land management. For the Love of Water (FLOW) CIC was asked to build on work already completed by Wessex Rivers Trust, by walking and assessing 22 km of the River Stour and its tributaries to highlight areas where management could be improved or the floodplain enhanced.
Our Approach – Working with Farmer Clusters
We collaborated with Wessex Rivers Trust to replicate their previous methodology, ensuring the comparability of data. Over 22km of watercourse was walked in February 2025, with a broad range of positive and negative indicators recorded. Where safe to do so, aerial imagery was also captured. Existing ArcGIS online story maps were updated to include the newly surveyed areas.
Each reach was categorised into the following:
- Conserve – This category represents reaches that have multiple natural features and display natural processes likely to require little to no restoration measures
- Enhance – This category represents reaches that have natural features, but further opportunities and restoration measures are available to enhance features and natural processes
- Rehabilitate – This category represents reaches where there is evidence of some natural recovery or adjustment. Reaches require restoration measures
- Restore – This category represents degraded reaches that show little evidence of potential natural recovery. Reaches require fundamental restoration measures.
Positive outcomes for the River Stour
This catchment walkover approach produced a range of high-level options for river restoration enhancement and potential changes to land management practices. Due to budgetary constraints, we were unable to cover the entire area. We collaborated with landowners to compile their photographs and imagery, which helped establish a baseline of habitat data across the entire farming cluster. In addition to updated ArcGIS Online story maps, we provided a one-page summary and recommendations for each landowner. Options were summarised at a face-to-face meeting with landowners and Natural England, which provided guidance on funding.
Proposed measures included: Conservation, enhancement and creation of backwaters, increased riparian buffer strips (these were already good in most places), bank re-grading, retention of large wood in channel, de-culverting, headwater stream restoration, including a stage zero approach and tree planting.
Catchment Walkovers are part of our catchment and river restoration services; you can find out more here. If you need similar support, we’d be happy to discuss with you. Contact Us.
