A steady month. October rainfall was well below average for the month - actually less than 20% of that in October 2023. Nevertheless, following the extremes of last winter, average groundwater levels along the valley are still at their highest October levels in our 33 years records - see chart below - and suggest the floodplains will be busy again in the season ahead.
Meanwhile, Thameswater have made a robust start to spending the £2.5 million announced for improvements to the catchment’s sewerage systems. Work is well underway on the alternative tankering facility at Chalfont St Peter designed to avoid future closures of the High Street. A programme of manhole repairs to prevent infiltration is in hand and relining of 1.7km of main sewer is about to start. Funding is also allocated for comprehensive studies of the system to determine what medium and longterm investment is needed. More than 30 flow meters are being installed throughout the catchment to help model the problems.
A couple of good work parties have continued general improvements in the Chalfonts area where it is encouraging to find the recent and current good flow helping to expose bed gravel. All in all, the river is running as well as at any time in our history but there is plenty to be done to improve its overall health as we look forward to putting some meat on the bones of the “Mending the Misbourne” discussions - naturalisation of the watercourse, habitat improvements, reduction of pollution from road and farmfield runoff, control of invasive species being key topics. Our next “not-a-meeting” - (i.e. informal chat and a drink) - will be at The Greyhound on Wednesday 27th November from 7.15pm. All welcome, including new supporters. Apart from the usual light and unscripted discussion, we will be thinking about any work in the coming winter months.
It has been good to receive several reports of kingfisher sightings around the Chalfonts and to see egrets settling in new spots. There was quite a flurry of WhatsApp and Facebook correspondence last month regarding crayfish but, in fact, only the invasive and now completely dominant signal crayfish is likely to be found in the Misbourne. The indigenous white-clawed crayfish has probably been eradicated from the Chilterns chalkstreams and the new larger American red swamp crayfish - see pic below - has not yet been recorded upstream of Denham Country Park. (Note: If seen elsewhere, it must be notified to EA). Other highlights included our MP’s contribution to the Parliamentary Select Committee’s excellent debate “Water Companies: Regulation and Financial Stability”.
We have record bookings for our Annual Christmas Dinner on 11th December at The Ivy House from 6.45pm where we have taken over the whole restaurant area. I have sent menus to everyone on the list to date with request for their return by 28th November. If you haven’t received yours, then you are not currently on the list, but don’t despair as there are a few spaces still available which it would be good fill. Let me know ASAP if you/your “+1" would like to join us.
This will be the last Newsletter for 2024: a year initially dominated by floods and sewage overflows but closing with matters seeming a lot brighter and with encouraging possibilities ahead. We have gained a goodly number of new supporters and managed as many “volunteer-days” as normal, despite being closed by pollution till mid-year, and we have been active in many other forums. Thank you for all your support and encouragement.
Best wishes for the Festive Season and onward into 2025.