River Waveney Trust keeping access for kayakers and canoers

Over the last two years, the River Waveney Trust has been working hard with a group of committed volunteers to remove the invasive species floating pennywort and to manage fallen trees so that the river is accessible by canoe and kayak.

Even though the river is popular with paddlers there is no official organisation that keeps it clear for access.

The trust, although not legally responsible, is now working hard to try and make sure that people can continue to enjoy the river.

Workparty in the River Waveney with volunteers (Image: River Waveney Trust)

Emily Winter (left), Martha Meek (centre) and Katie Utting (right) from The River Waveney Trust, pictured at Falcon Meadow in Bungay (Image: Bruno Brown)

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Martha Meek, director of the River Waveney Trust said: “The river has become impossible to pass in some places.

"The high levels of nutrients in the water from agriculture and sewage, the slow flowing water and the warmer temperatures we are seeing over summer can cause the vegetation growth in the river to be phenomenally fast.

"This growth, combined with naturally fallen trees, can completely clog the channel, blocking out light for aquatic plant species, fish and insects.”

The trust has been working with landowners to plant trees next to the river and to manage trees in the water. 

This work is supported by a group of volunteers who survey the whole river by canoe every two months.

Workparty in the River Waveney with volunteers (Image: River Waveney Trust)

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Katie Utting, rivers project officer at the trust, said: “Fallen trees in the water are brilliant for wildlife, they create fantastic habitat for young fish and insects, but when they block the entire channel, they can be a problem.

"We are working hard to manage trees so that they can stay in the water, creating habitat and not causing any issues for flooding, or clogging up with vegetation.

"What also really helps is to plant trees next to the river, cooling the water and shading out this excess vegetation.”

A local boy enjoys fishing at Homersfield Bridge on the River Waveney (Image: River Waveney Trust)