The summer had the heaviest rainfall for over seventy years, producing serious floods across the country. The River Whitewater and its surrounding river catchment, received a deluge of rain more akin to a British winter of yesteryear. The rain started during what would normally be a period of around three weeks of mayfly's hatching. This season was marked by an intense mayfly hatch which ended abruptly as the wind and rain dropped water and air temperatures. It is ironic that in mid November, as I write, we have had little decent rain since mid September, so whilst the aquifers were replenished in the summer the river now is low for time of year and would welcome some regular winter rain in the months ahead.
The heavy rain and strong winds of the summer has caused several trees to be wrenched from the ground into river or banks along the river. These we will want to work on along the stretch from the weir to the Hatchgate bridge. We shall continue our labour of love once again this coming winter on the river. Working parties will take place each month and we would appreciate your support be coming along to assist. They are usually, enjoyable and an opportunity to put something back to the river that provides so much pleasure. We will be carrying out work along the stretch from the top weir down to the Hatchgate bridge during the winter months. For the January working party please meet at the road bridge parking areas nearer the top weir, for February and March meet at the Hatchgate bridge parking area. Meeting at 9.00am on all occasions.
Working party dates are as follows :-
Membership is offered on the same basis as previous seasons, i.e. A fixed block of three days. The 2008 season application form is now on this website. Could we ask 2007 members to submit their completed application forms to our F&DAS Membership Secretary before mid March 2008, that way members from 2007 will have first refusal to rejoin should they wish, prior to considering applications from any new members. Should membership application exceed thirty members, a waiting list then applies.