Why is the River Chess special?
Why is the River Chess special? Nature – The River Chess is called a chalk stream because its water comes from the groundwater held in the chalk of the Chiltern Hills. The Chess is fed by springs which form where the water table reaches ground level. The Chess is also well-known amongst fishermen for its brown trout.
Where is the River Chess?
The River Chess is a chalk stream that rises in Chesham in Buckinghamshire and runs through the Chess Valley to Rickmansworth, where it becomes a tributary of the Colne. The Chess Valley is part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of which chalk streams are a characteristic feature.
Can you swim in the River Chess?
A small stream can be seen joining the river at the weir which is part of the River Chess, but it bypasses the lakes and weirs, enabling fish to swim up and downstream.
Is the River Chess contaminated?
The River Chess Association has been particularly concerned that Thames Water at times discharges a mixture of untreated sewage and storm water runoff into the Chess via the Chesham Sewage Treatment Works (CSTW) outlet.
Can you fish the River Chess?
The Chess is well regarded by fishermen for its brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations, as featured in the BBC2 programme The Accidental Angler. Brown trout require good quality, oxygen-rich water to thrive and successful breeding depends upon a clean gravel bed for winter spawning.
How many chalk rivers are there in the world?
200 chalk streams
Our chalk streams are unique – there are only about 200 chalk streams in the world, and most of them are in the southern half of England (with a few in France).
Can you walk along the River Chess?
One of the best ways to appreciate the River Chess is to walk its length along the Chess Valley Walk – part of the route was included as one of the top 20 Christmas Walks in The Times. Download it here (PDF, 562 KB). The walk is a 10-mile route which can be undertaken from Chesham to Rickmansworth, or vice versa.
Can you fish the river chess?
Can you swim in stockers Lake?
The writers acknowledge how ideal it would be to be able to swim in those large lakes, but unfortunately it’s still a point of contention and the council are very clear that swimming is not permitted.
Is there raw sewage in the Thames?
This year alone, 1.2 million tonnes of raw sewage has been dumped into the river Thames because the Victorian sewers can’t cope. Even a few millimetres of rain is enough to overwhelm the old tunnels and anything left over goes into the river.
How is the river chess being protected?
Also avoid heavy autumn cuts as these are particularly harmful to wildlife. The River Chess, like all rivers, is protected by legislation. Modifications to the riverbed, banks or works within 8 metres of the river, including the siting of new structures, are subject to Environment Agency approval.
What fish are in the River Chess?
brown trout
The Chess is well regarded by fishermen for its brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations, as featured in the BBC2 programme The Accidental Angler. Brown trout require good quality, oxygen-rich water to thrive and successful breeding depends upon a clean gravel bed for winter spawning.
