So, another record – the driest spring in 70 years, they say! Well, in the Misbourne catchment, while things are obviously very different from early 2024, we only have to look back to 2021 for similar rainfall patterns. Nevertheless, we are seeing groundwater levels easing, fields drying and significant change in soil moisture deficit from “notably low” in February to “notably high” currently – to the concern of farmers, gardeners and golf course groundskeepers. So far, the river continues to flow well throughout its length but with this climate there are no guarantees it will last the year.
In fact the river is doing so well that, amazingly, it’s been difficult to find work for our scheduled work parties. To avoid disappointment some devotees have been working on the tributary down from Gerrards Cross which is now best it’s been for years – rubbish removed included a rotary washing line, roofing felt and a variety of road signs! Others cleared specific issues between the Chalfonts and gently encouraged meandering more concentrated flow through Old Amersham.
Lots going on though, apart from work parties:
Friends of Chiltern Chalk Streams Update: 11th June in Hughenden to include local group updates, CCSP plans for next 5 years, TW and Affinity updates. If keen to attend, plse let me know as space will be a bit restricted.
River evening with Chalfont St Giles Cubs and Scouts to be confirmed: Monday 9th or 30th June plus Wednesday 11th or 2nd July. Helpers required for various activities – river flow exercise; invertebrate kick-sampling; flora spotting; ball game. Plse lets me know if you can help.
Looking forward to seeing you on our stall at Chalfont St Peter Feast Day on Saturday 29th June ……… (and maybe helping for a while?)
…… and I’m still looking for help with maintaining the Website – (WordPress/PageLayer)
After more than 30 years of monthly groundwater readings from the 15 boreholes we are so fortunate to have at 1mile intervals up the valley form Chalfont St Peter nearly as far as Wendover Dean in the Chilterns, we have been having difficulty obtaining access to many sites due to new restrictions by EA. The data should be alternatively available on their website but is never up to date and, worryingly, contains some erratic figures presumably due to glitches with the electronics. While we hope to have this resolved very soon, we will do our best to maintain a comprehensive record using the data as it is published. One site that was still available 1st May is Quarrendon Mill and the graph below shows the trend from January 2024 thru May 2025 (solid blue line) compared with notably wet periods 2000/01, 2013/14, 2023/24 and 30 year average. Other locations have similar pictures with those at the ends of the valley showing this month’s GWL’s remaining proportionately higher while the middle e.g. Amersham Church shows a little closer to long term average.
Anyway, all this and more to be discussed no doubt at our next ”not-a-meeting” on 21st May, next Wednesday from 7.15 pm at The Greyhound, Chalfont St Peter – All welcome!
The Misbourne tributary stream from GX thru Chalfont Park: not usually seen looking like this!
