Key Issues
Pollution
Pollution enters our chalk streams from roads, sewage, industrial effluent, fish, urban development and arable run-off. This results in the introduction of endocrine disruptors; increased temperatures; organic, nutrient and toxic pollution; loss of species; excess algal growth and reduced population size.
Abstraction
Lincolnshire’s chalk streams suffer from over-abstraction for industry, fish farms, irrigation and potable water supply. Resulting in low flows, reduced dilution of pollutants, sedimentation, excess algal growth, loss of current-loving species and the entrapment of wild fish.
Invasive Species
Lincolnshires chalk streams suffer with the effects of non-native and invasive species – escaped farmed fish in particular rainbow trout, signal crayfish, mink and non-native plants (e.g. Himalayan balsam, snowberry). Resulting in sedimentation and the loss of native species and habitat.
