River
The river is the key landscape focus for the valley, its course is defined by bank side trees and wet meadows. It supports a variety of riparian (river) habitats.
The valley floor has a large areas of functioning floodplain. Water quality is good, meeting levels demanded in regulations. The catchment meets sustainable demands for water supply, flood control and recreational use, whilst retaining an unspoilt character and healthy ecosystem.
The river has become an important method of controlling water levels both in the surrounding countryside and irrigating crops.
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Famous quotes containing the word river:
“Nature seemed to have adorned herself for our departure with a profusion of fringes and curls, mingled with the bright tints of flowers, reflected in the water. But we missed the white water-lily, which is the queen of river flowers, its reign being over for this season.... Many of this species inhabit our Concord water.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)