River Colne Catchment Action Network

Catchment projects

Hover over a numbered spot to see a project summary. Click on a spot to see the full project details. Alternatively view the project list.

The River Gade rises in the Chilterns, near the hamlet of Hudnall and flows south east for 15 miles through Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley and Abbots Langley to join the Colne near Rickmansworth. The River Bulbourne rises at Cow Roast, north-west of Berkhamsted and flows for 6 miles to join the Gade at Hemel Hempstead.

16. Cassiobury Park Wetlands Restoration Project

Aim: Involve people with their local waterbodies; Improve wildlife corridors

Cassiobury Park Wetlands Restoration Project – Autumn 2023

Plans to boost Watford’s biodiversity, protect the area’s unique local habitat and create a wildlife wetland sanctuary in Cassiobury Park Nature Reserve are taking shape.

15. Improve water vole habitat - River Gade Croxley

Aims: Improve wildlife corridors

Remove overshading and fallen trees on 350m stretch of the River Gade to enable the water vole populations on Croxley common Moor and Croxley Hall Fisheries to mingle.

For more detail on this project please refer to this article...

Anglers to the rescue for Ratty on the River Gade | | Three Rivers District Council

14. Gade silt clearance Cassiobury Park

Aims: Manage flow

Gade channel work at Cassiobury park, to clear a channel of silt to allow water to flow through the water cress bed

13. Riverfly monitoring

Aim: Involve people with their local waterbodies; Improve water quality; Work together

Riverfly monitoring is currently being carried out on the R. Gade (three sites) and the R. Bulbourne (six site) by volunteers. A riverfly group is in the process of being set up, supported by the Chilterns, Hertfordshire & Middlesex Riverfly Hub. More volunteers are being sought by the group to increase the number of monitoring sites on these two rivers. If you are interested in taking part in this exciting and important work contact the Hub.

12. Bulbourne Moor - weir modification

Aim: Improve wildlife corridors; Work together

Proposal to notch a concrete weir to allow free movement of coarse fish species and reconnect 1.6km of the rivers Bulbourne and Gade.

11. Restoring sustainable river flows - R. Gade

Aim: Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow

The upper River Gade suffers from low flows as a consequence of overabstraction for public water supply. Affinity Water plan to reduce abstraction in the upper Gade catchment to restore river flows.

10. Repair flood relief structure - Bury Mill

Aim: Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow

Reinstate flow control boards to Bury Mill flood relief structure to prevent loss of flow from Gade during normal and lw flow conditions.

9. Gadebridge Park river restoration project

Aim: Involve people with their local waterbodies; Improve wildlife corridors; Manage flow; Work together

The Environment Agency is working with Dacorum Borough Council and Affinity Water to help restore the River Gade at Gadebridge Park, a globally rare and valuable chalk stream. The project will provide multiple benefits, including improved habitats for wildlife, the protection of water resources for both people and the environment, and allowing local residents and visitors to get closer to the river and enjoy nature.