A Scenic, Autumnal, Section of the River Itchen, near Winchester, Hampshire
The River Itchen (previously also known as the River Alre) is a river in Hampshire, England. It flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river has a total length of 28 miles (45 km), and is noted as one of the world's premier chalk streams for fly fishing,especially using dry fly or nymphing techniques. The local chalk aquifer provides excellent storage and filtration and the river has long been used for public water supply. Watercress thrives all along the Itchen valley in its once pristine, crystal clear waters, now affected by some farming practices. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is noted for its high-quality habitats, supporting a range of protected species including water crowfoot, brown trout, the endangered water vole, otter, brook lamprey and white-clawed crayfish. The river is managed by riparian owners with the use of water regulated by the Environment Agency, whilst the Port of Southampton is the navigation authority for the tidal section below Swaythling. During Roman Britain, the river may have been associated with the Celtic goddess Ancasta.
Size: 5267px × 3404px
Location: The River itchen, Hampshire, UK
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: autumn, autumnal, beautiful, berry, branches, bushes, chalk, field, grass, habitats, hampshire, high, interest, itchen, keats, landscape, leaves, meadow, meads, navigation, peaceful, playing, quality, reflections, river, scientific, site, special, sssi, stream, system, tranquil, trees, trunks, twyford, walk, water, weed, winchester
