Where has our river gone?

Over-abstraction dries out Hertfordshire’s River Mimram

The River Mimram is a chalk stream that joins the River Lea at Hertford. Because so much of its water is taken for use in homes, a full 14km of the river suffers from low flows, and long stretches dry out completely.

The Mimram is just one example of the rivers, streams and wetlands that now dry out or suffer chronic damage under pressure from over-abstraction. We are devastating the internationally important spring-fed rivers of England, including the Rivers Stour, Wey, Itchen, Avon, Piddle, Tarrant, Bourne, Kennet and Darrent, and as demand for water rises and the impacts of climate change are felt, the situation can only get worse.