River Mease – Special Area of Conservation

About the River Mease

Meandering from Ashby de la Zouch westwards across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire where it meets the River Trent, the River Mease and the lower section of the Gilwiskaw Brook are designated as the ‘River Mease Special Area of Conservation’. Covering around 25km (16 miles) the River Mease Special Area of Conservation represents one of the best examples of an unspoilt meandering lowland river, which supports characteristic habitats and species.

The majority of the river channel also shows human impact on the river in 3 main ways: development and housing; quality and amount of wastewater, and urban and agricultural runoff. The species and habitats could be under threat from pollution and poor water quality mainly due to high phosphorus levels. These pressures need to be addressed to ensure these species and habitats survive into the future and that the Special Area of Conservation meets its Conservation Objectives and any adverse effect upon the SAC avoided.