Riparian Responsibilities

Watercourses help manage surface water, prevent flooding and improve habitats for wildlife so it’s important to keep them clear and well maintained.
Rivers, brooks, streams, culverts and roadside ditches are all watercourses even if they don’t contain water all year round. If you have any of these running through, underneath or next to your property it’s your responsibility to look after them. The legal term for this is Riparian Ownership.