Wet winters

[halfstoned]

Interesting stuff here from the Rothampstead research centre, Okehampton. I've always thought some nice floods during winter help to clean out the river but perhaps not! Will this dry (so far) winter lead to better conditions this season? I also worry that the water companies are waiting for a good "flush" to help with the profit margins ☹ Any thoughts?
www.farminguk.com/news/farm-pollution-rose-after-wet-winter-of-2019-study-says_59761.html

[boisker]

A complex picture… heavy rain and waterlogged soils have a real impact on water quality and gravels, ideally I would guess that frequent lighter rain is beneficial, as it should carry less sediment and associated elevated ‘agri’ pollutants, whilst also keeping river levels up.
I don’t like the recent trend of rivers starting the season at near drought levels. The last 3 years I have had extended periods each summer where I haven’t fished due to low water levels and temps. I’ve found it slightly depressing how people carry on fishing and posting photo’s of fish. Last summer there was a period where water temps were at 69F on the otter by 7 am… if it was Montana they would have stopped fishing until the ‘river’ cooled.
I can’t see things significantly improving any time soon😏

[yeoman]

Yes, that is interesting, Chris.
I don't recall the rivers being particularly low last spring, April was cold and dry but in May it did nothing but rain.