Biodiversity Action Plan

River Corridor Habitats

This section of the action plan covers all rivers and streams throughout the Peak District, plus associated river corridor wetlands such as swamps, fens and flushes in the White Peak area, and the middle and lower reaches of river valleys in the Dark and South West Peak.

This is a very varied resource, with rivers in the three natural areas having distinct characteristics and species associations, supporting species such as brook lamprey, brown trout, dipper, little grebe, white-clawed crayfish and water vole.

Wetlands have declined in extent both nationally and locally due largely to drainage operations. Flood plain wetlands are an important resource which support a rich variety of insects and provide good feeding grounds for birds such as lapwing and curlew.

Although much of the water quality in the Peak District is good, locally it is affected by agricultural run-off, sewage discharge and high silt levels.

River Corridor Habitats Action Plan (315KB)