[toggle title=”Where does the Welland start and finish?”]
The Welland is some 65�miles (105 km) long.�It rises at Sibbertoft, a village west of Market Harborough, then flows eastwards through that town, creating a broad, flat valley before entering Stamford and from there the fens. It flows through Spalding as a tidal river that joins the Wash Estuary at Fosdyke.
The tributaries which flow into the Welland are:�Eye Brook:�The�River Chater:�The�River Gwash:�The�River Glen:�The�River Jordan, Northamptonshire:�Vernatt’s Drain
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[toggle title=”Where does the Welland get its water from?”]
It collects water along its course from tributaries flowing from the North, but very little from the south. The most important of these are the Gwash, which holds Rutland Water and the Glen draining south-west Lincolnshire.
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[toggle title=”Can I volunteer to help?”]
Yes. The Trust always welcomes volunteers who can give time to helping with our various projects and activities. You don’t have to have any specialist knowledge, although if you do have a relevant skill or interest, let us know.
You can register your interest by completing our Volunteering form�here. We will then add you to our register and keep you updated with events and projects which may be of interest.
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[toggle title=”What is a Fish Refuge?”]
A fish refuge is a pond off the main river with one entrance, so that it is away from the flow of the river and offers fish shelter in times of flood. When told of the project, people often ask, ‘How will the fish know where it is?’ The answer is quite simple, just as you and I know where the lay-bys, the pubs and other features are in our districts, so the fish know where to hide in difficult times in their area.
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[toggle title=”What is Eutrophication?”]
Eutrophication�is an increase in the�concentration�of chemical�nutrients�in an�ecosystem�to an extent that increases the�primary productivity�of the ecosystem. It is similar to�red tides, depending on the degree of eutrophication. Similarities include subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations may occur.
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[toggle title=”What is a Riffle?”]
A stream�riffle�(also known as a�swift) is a shallow stretch of a river or stream, where the current is above the�average stream velocity�and where the water forms small�rippled waves�as a result.
It often consists of a rocky�bed�of�gravel�or other small stones. This portion of a stream is important�habitat�for small aquatic�biota�(invertebrates�and juvenile fish-fries).
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[toggle title=”What is Abstraction?”]
Water abstraction,�water extraction, or�groundwater abstraction�is the process of taking�water�from any source, either temporarily or permanently. Most water is used for�irrigation�or treatment to produce�drinking water.
Depending on the environmental legislation in the relevant country, controls may be placed on abstraction to limit the amount of water that can be removed. Over abstraction can lead to�rivers�drying up or the level ofgroundwater�aquifers�reducing unacceptably.
The science of�hydrogeology�is used to assess safe abstraction levels.
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