Messing  about with the River

To further your learning here are some relevant and reputable sources for the topics covered in this series.

1. Local Management & Monitoring

• The Sid Valley Biodiversity Group: This is the primary local resource. They coordinate the river fly surveys and wildlife monitoring mentioned in your articles.

  • Useful for: Seeing real-time local data and learning how to volunteer.

• The River Sid Catchment Group: A specialised group focused on the long-term health and restoration of the river.

  • Useful for: In-depth information on the flood management projects and the School Weir bypass plans.

2. Regional & National River Conservation

• Westcountry Rivers Trust: This charity works across the South West to restore and protect river environments. They offer excellent resources on "Citizen Science" and catchment management.

  • Useful for: Understanding how the Sid fits into the broader Devon and Cornwall river network.

• The Rivers Trust: The national umbrella organization. Their "State of Our Rivers" map is an incredible tool for learners to see the chemical and biological health of any river in the UK.

  • Useful for: Comparing the Sid’s health to other UK rivers.

3. Wildlife & Ecology

• The Devon Wildlife Trust: A key resource for information on native species like otters and beavers, as well as advice on identifying invasive species like Himalayan Balsam.

  • Useful for: High-quality species ID guides and habitat restoration case studies.

• The Wild Trout Trust: An organization dedicated to the protection of wild trout and their habitats.

  • Useful for: Learning about "woody debris" and why natural, "messy" riverbanks are essential for fish.

4. Technical Geography & Flooding

• The Environment Agency (Catchment Data Explorer): This is a government database where students can find the official "Water Framework Directive" (WFD) status of the River Sid.

  • Useful for: Advanced learners looking for specific data on phosphates, ammonia, and pH levels.

• Check for Flooding (Gov.uk): Provides live river level data for the Sid at Sidford and the School Weir.

  • Useful for: Observing the "Flashy" nature of the river in real-time during rain events.

5. Historical Context

• Sidmouth Museum: Since the river's history is so tied to the town's development (like the 1322 storm), the museum’s online archives are excellent.

  • Useful for: Finding old maps and photographs of how the river mouth used to look before the training walls were built.