How can I best manage the stream adjacent to my property?

Adding to what others have said, make sure you are familiar with dangerous plants that may be growing nearby to avoid contact or to keep carefully removing with leather gloves and protective goggles. I help maintain a drainage ditch that has a water hemlock problem as well as hogweed nearby, you don't want to take any chances!

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pr2thej@reddit

Piss in it.

Sorry, thought this was/R/compostinguk

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PsychologicalLumber@reddit

We had something similar in a previous property. The main thing to understand here is what type of water course it is and your local geology and hydrology.

We found that there were local interest groups with a wealth of knowledge plus the local water company also had a vested interest so were able to provide knowledge and some expertise.

We ended up volunteering to look after the stream as a local community group but we had an action plan that had been devised by the local water company and local ecologists etc. It took about a year to come together but it meant that we didn't damage the stream either.

Best thing to do would be to reach out to the local council or local groups to get a better idea of what you're working with.

On a note about the points you raised, if there's that much silt, it's likely it might need to be dredged however, that can be wildly expensive because the silt often contains heavy metals from run off, so it'll be quite expensive to dispose of. Weirdly, having an amount of brash like that around the edge of the water actually serves a really strong ecological purpose as it often acts as cover for small mammals and amphibians.

Best of luck 🤞🏼

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SnooHabits8484@reddit

Dredging is very rarely the answer, just causes problems downstream. What’s the construction around the culvert, is it important? Restoring the morphology is really the only solution to silt. Does the other end of the culvert have an issue with scour?

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MrTEAP@reddit (OP)

Thanks! All the houses on the street border the stream so could be easy to get a community together. I have reached out to local authorities but so far nothing constructive or conservational has occured.

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Immediate-Escalator@reddit

If you own the watercourse then there are responsibilities that come with it such as preventing blockages, clearing the trash screen in front of the culvert and allowing it to flow freely. There’s guidance on gov.uk.

It sounds like you have the right intentions but I’d make sure what you’re doing fits within that. Your Lead Local Flood Authority can provide advice. You mentioned the channel silting up. That’s ultimately one of the natural processes of a rover so removing silt could cause issues of increased flood risk downstream if it speeds up the flow of the channel so be careful.

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MrTEAP@reddit (OP)

I've reached out to local authorities and either not had anything back or it is clear they have no time / budget available. Just seeing what I can do on a low effort level. Like clearing banks etc.

It is not a river, it is a tiny little stream.

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Immediate-Escalator@reddit

The responsibilities apply whether it’s a tiny stream or the Thames, although from what you describe and the photos, I’d definitely call it a river.

I don’t know where you’re located but what seems small and inconsequential when running past your house will become much more significant before it reaches the sea. Changes in the upper reaches of a catchment can still have implications downstream by speeding up the flow of the river and potentially increasing flood risk.

The main relevant points in the guidance I linked to are to let the water flow naturally. It advises that blockages and trees/plants that obstruct the flow can be removed but others should be left.

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Kind_Shift_8121@reddit

I lived in a water mill for 25 years so have a fair bit of experience.

Keep it clear of large obstructions (branches, shopping trolleys etc. and ensure the banks remain covered in a vegetative layer but trim back anything that gets too big. Sit back and enjoy the view.

That’s it. Less is more.

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-adult-swim-@reddit

Personally I'd manage it with a couple of fish traps and a small turbine to get some leccy. Make sure the culvert is clear as a repayment...

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MrTEAP@reddit (OP)

Great idea but the flow is so low / slow that turbine wouldn't work. My first thought XD

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-adult-swim-@reddit

Bummer, maybe check the fish trap idea out (if you have permission of course) perhaps these a brook infested with American signal crayfish and you can do some ecological good while having a tasty meal. Personally im allergic, its mild so every once in a while I just think fuck it, have an antihistamine and wolf down a bunch of prawns/lobster/ crayfish etc. They are lush like.

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DUncle97@reddit

Keep the trash screen clear, remove any blockages in the channel, keep the banks tidy (but don't de-vegetate them), don't erect any structures that would affect the flow of wateer

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behemuffin@reddit

If it were me, I'd contact the Wildlife Trust. Tell them you're happy to volunteer your time and labour, but you need guidance.

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JurassicM4rc@reddit

This is a good idea. I just started volunteering for the Wildlife Trust by me, and we have work parties out one weekend a month. So they could offer guidance and possibly help from the other volunteers.

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highrouleur@reddit

I have a little stream at the end of my garden.

The local water company take care of the actual stream, we're expected to maintain the bank on our property so nothing causes blockages.

It looks like you're just before a culvert there?

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Fun-Concert7086@reddit

Lot of responsibility but great for nature and for your garden- hope it’s not a flooding risk otherwise I envy you.

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Proud_Durian6956@reddit

It's a little tricky to tell from the pictures but you may have Himalayan balsam growing on the bank. It's a non native/ invasive species and can really mess up the structure of the bank. It has pink flowers in the summer

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Square_Priority6338@reddit

Talk to the wildlife trust that manages it. They’ll have their own plans on how they want to manage it, and depending on species present in/adjacent to it will depend on what’s good for the stream.

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Conscious_Ring_9855@reddit

You’ve got the right ideas. It’s hard to know exactly how overgrown the banks are but I would suggest you could cut the weeds on the banks Dow to ground level and then do some planting while keeping the weeds under control. I wouldn’t suggest ripping out all the weeds and exposing bare earth as this could easily cause an erosion problem. In terms of species I’m no expert, but I would suggest having a look at well managed waterways in your area (if there are any) and copying a successful approach. The bottom of the culvert pipe is as low as the water can get so no point dredging. If the outlet screen is blocking frequently then you could install another one further upstream, this does just shift the problem but to a location with better access and it reduces the risk of the pipe blocking. You would still keep the current screen as well of course.

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