Lee Valley. 09/10/00. England. 448 ha. 51°35'N 000°03'E. SSSI, SPA. A series of embanked water supply reservoirs, sewage treatment lagoons, and former gravel pits extending along about 24km of the valley from near Ware southward to Finsbury Park in London. These water bodies support internationally important numbers of wintering Gadwall and Shoveler (Criterion 6)and nationally important numbers of several other bird species. The site also contains a range of wetland and valley bottom habitats, both humanmade and semi-natural, which support a diverse array of wetland fauna and flora. Four SSSIs are included within the site. Virtually all parts of the site are subject to management plans in which nature conservation is a high or sole priority. Potential threats from eutrophic condition of the water, over-abstraction of surface water for public supply in periods of drought, and urban development pressures are felt to be addressed by several directives and regulations. Non-consumptive recreational activities are important and mostly well regulated. Ramsar site no. 1037. Most recent RIS information: 2000.

Date de dernière publication: 09-10-2000