Alde Ore Estuary
The Alde-Ore estuary is unusual in that for ten miles of its length the river channel travels parallel with the coast with only as little as thirty metres between it and the shoreline at some points. Today the river is primarily used for leisure pursuits, such as sailing, fishing and watersports. There has been reclamation of the mudflats and salt-marsh in the estuary over several centuries right up to the mid 19th century.
This has effectively meant that the river has lost its natural form and been canalised over much of its length by the building of defensive walls to protect reclaimed land behind them. At present the use of the estuary, the activities it supports and the important environmental and economic interests within it are in delicate balance. However, there are signs that this is being disrupted with the loss of salt-marsh possibly being the first sign of the effect of rising sea levels from coastal squeeze. The effects of this process and the demands that it will make on coastal defences are constantly under discussion. The value of the estuary for its wildlife is reflected in its numerous designations - SSSI, Ramsar and SPA and candidate SAC.
Following a North America/ United Kingdom Countryside Exchange project in 2001, which had as its aims:
- to identify what creates the area’s unique and special character
- to improve communication between stakeholders
- to improve understanding of what an environmentally sustainable future for the estuary means
an Estuary Planning Partnership was established in October 2003.
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