Historic Watercourses : Dorset Stour. Developing a method for identifying the historic character of watercourses

By Antony Firth and Emma Firth, February 2020

The Historic Watercourses project is intended to develop a means for heritage managers and watercourse managers to identify at a strategic level the historic character of watercourses, based on a pilot focussing on the catchment of the Dorset Stour. The project has been framed around Defra’s Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) and anticipates collaboration with the Stour Catchment Initiative.

The archaeology of watercourses in England is seriously underdeveloped in terms of baseline knowledge. At the same time, watercourses are subject to major pressures that have implications for the historic environment, especially works relating to flood risk, habitat enhancement and waterside development. Two aspects of watercourses are especially concerning: the presence and potential of archaeological material within and immediately adjacent to watercourses; and the form of the watercourse itself.

This pilot project is developing a method for identifying the historic character of watercourses within a catchment using the Dorset Stour as a case study, whilst also examining the scope to engage members of the public in better understanding watercourse history. The project is intended to increase awareness and integration of the historic character of watercourses in catchment management.

Available to download from Historic England’s website here