Fletchers water

Black Water runs shallow and swift through Fletchers Thorns Enclosure (1829); exposed gravel beds testament to the reduced spring flow and its impact on this section of particularly shallow stream.  Partly this is the result of the forests ongoing program of stream restoration; the section above has been returned to its pre Victorian meandering course, whilst the broad section through the enclosure has had tonnes of gravel introduced, the stream wasn't that deep along this section prior to remodeling.  The stream is changed, the detritus of the winter has been washed, unheeded by obstructions, further down stream, where it narrows.  In some areas adjacent to the bank, some degree of clearing has taken place, opening up the canopy and the floor.  The wood and stream are particularly fresh and bright.  Black Water becomes Fletchers water as it exits Fletchers Thorns Enclosure (1829) and enters and extended open area of grassland and heather beds, the openness only punctuated by small clumps of Oak and shrub and the corridor of woodland that framed Fletchers water, as it takes its almost perfectly straight course.