Useful Information
River Sid Catchment Plan
After extensive consultation with outside agencies and the local community, our team or volunteers created a comprehensive catchment plan for the River Sid. This document is the foundation from which we are working from to reinvigorate the river and catchment. Take a look to learn more about our aims, vision and objectives.
Progress and Objectives
Our team of volunteers meets regularly to review actions and progress to move the projects forward. We aim to update this document every 6 months. You can download the latest version of this document below.
Last updated: 23/07/2025
Informative Documents
Sid Catchment Reports
Information about the river Sid and the work to improve its biodiversity:
- 2024 – 2025 – Westcountry Rivers Trust Electrofishing Report (Fry Index Survey) by Hannah Parvin
- 2025 – Great UK Water Blitz for the River Sid
- 2024 – 2025 – Riverfly Monitoring Report for the River Sid
- 2023 – 2024 – Westcountry Rivers Trust Electrofishing Report (Fry Index Survey) by Hannah Parvin
- 2023 – 2024 – River Sid Citizen Science Investigation (CSI) Score Card by Simon Browning on behalf on the RSCG
- 2023 – Wild Trout Trust – River Sid AV Extension Revised Proposal
- 2023 – Wild Trout Trust – River Sid Habitat Project Proposal
- 2023 – Fish Pass Advisory Service – Lower River Sid Site Visit Report
- 2021 – Westcountry Rivers Trust – Sid Valley Score Card
- 2021 – A report on ther River Sid carried out by Bruno Vincent on behalf of the Wild Trout Trust
- 2013 – 2014 – Sid Vale Living Rivers Project and Action Plan carried out by Andrew Taylor on behalf of Devon Wildlife Trust
Environmental Links
- River Sid information
https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/ WaterBody/GB108045009160 - Foam in Rivers and Still Water
https://www.bristolavonriverstrust.org/wp- content/uploads/2015/04/Foam- info.pdf - Check the river levels of the River Sid at Sidmouth and Sidbury, and the Woolbrook at Higher Woolbrook Road
https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/river-and-sea- levels/sidmouth-devon - Reporting Pollution and other environmental problems
https://www.gov.uk/report-environmental-problem
Regional Reports
- Soils and Natural flood Management Devon and Cornwall
https://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2267492/soils-and-nfm. pdf - East Devon Catchment Partnership
https://catchmentbasedapproach.org/ get-involved/east-devon/ - East Devon National Landscape
https://national-landscapes.org.uk/national-landscapes/ east-devon - Sustainable River Bank Protection Reducing river Bank Erosion
https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/219450/bank_protection_ guidance.pdf - Creating and Managing Riparian Woodland UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide
https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2024/07/UKFSPG028_ Riparian-woodland_web- compressed.pdf - East Devon Forestry Plan 2019 – 2029 by Forestry England
https://www.forestryengland.uk/sites/default/files/documents/East%20Devon%20Forest%20Plan%202019-29_0.pdf
Note page 37 on Riparian Management “All watercourses and riverine areas will be managed sensitively to protect and enhance water and soil quality in line with best practice Riparian zones will be developedto create and maintain areas of up to 50% continuous forest cover through gradual regeneration or enrichment with site appropriate tree species, such as Alnus, Salix and Ulmus spp. A gradual change to this type of wet woodland habitat through heavy thinning at the time of intervention (usually clearfell), will create a environment of dappled shade with good light penetration and aeration as well as buffer the riverine systems from forestry operations”
Organisation Links
Here are some links to other sites that you might find interesting or useful. We are working with many of these local, regional and national organisation to help inform, consultant and support our work.
The Westcountry Rivers Trust are helping us to survey the catchment to create a baseline record of the area. Within this, they will help to identify barriers to fish migration and locations where habitats are good or could be reinvigorated.
https://wrt.org.uk
The National Trust cares for much of the land adjoining the River Sid. There are some dramatic walks along the coastline, and beautiful trails inland.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/sidmouth-countryside
The Sid Valley Biodiversity Group plays an important role working with local communities to explore, enrich and share our enthusiasm for the biodiversity of Sid valley.
https://sidvalleybiodiversity.org
The Sid Vale Association plays a major part in caring for the Sid valley.
https://www.sidvaleassociation.org.uk
We work closely with the Sidmouth Arboretum Group who advises and cares for many of the trees in the valley.
https://sidmoutharboretum.org.uk
We are working closely with the Environment Agency who help advice and carry out a number of crucial roles within our projects.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
Sidmouth Town Council are great facilitators for many of our projects.
https://sidmouth.gov.uk
The Sidmouth Town website is a great place to discover more about the town and some of the walks, shops and places of interest.
https://www.sidmouth.com/blog/22-the-byes-riverside-walk
The Vision Group for Sidmouth is a local group that takes up initiatives to improve or protect Sidmouth and the valley; promoting heritage, the local economy, and sustainability. They also try to see all sides of an issue in order to stimulate informed debate on the future development of Sidmouth.
https://visionforsidmouth.org
Newsletter
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including conservation work, volunteering opportunities, and useful information.