Our rivers and their catchments
The rivers Adur and Ouse flow through a rich mosaic of Sussex landscapes. From the steep-sided wooded ghylls of the High Weald, where their headwaters rise, they wind through woodlands, grasslands, farmland, towns and villages before reaching the saltmarsh-fringed estuaries of Shoreham and Newhaven and flowing into the sea.
Along the way, they are fed by streams, ditches, wetlands and internationally renowned chalk springs. Together, these waterways and habitats support a wealth of wildlife, including fish, mammals, birds and invertebrates.
The challenges facing our rivers
Despite their ecological importance, few stretches of the Adur and Ouse remain in a natural state. Many have been dammed, straightened or polluted. Wetlands and riverside vegetation have been lost, while rivers have become disconnected from their natural floodplains.
Healthy, naturally functioning rivers are vital for both people and wildlife. They provide habitats, replenish groundwater, help reduce the impacts of floods and droughts, and support the wider landscapes and communities around them.
Our vision for the Adur and Ouse
The Adur and Ouse Catchment Partnership brings people and organisations together to restore our rivers and the landscapes that sustain them.
By working with natural processes, reconnecting rivers with their floodplains, and reducing the pressures we place on our waterways, we aim to create healthier, more resilient catchments where people, wildlife and nature can thrive.