Wildlife
The River Avon is a known as a chalk river and this creates unique conditions for wildlife because:
- The water is crystal clear (unless its rained a lot!) as rainwater that falls on the land is purified as it drains through the chalk and emerges as a spring or in the river
- the level of water in the river and the temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year
The importance of the River Avon and its tributaries is recognised by its designation as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the 1992 European Commission Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats of Wild Fauna and Flora (known as the Habitats Directive).
