River Kird Explained

The River Kird is a river located in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England that is a tributary to the River Arun.^[1] It is located in South Downs National Park.^[2]

Course

Located entirely in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England, the river rises in the western Weald – an area of undulating countryside – north of Kirdford, and flows south-east until it reaches Kirdford, at which point it flows eastwards; in Wisborough Green, the river receives the waters of Boxal Brook then resumes its south-easterly course before flowing into the River Arun.^[3]

Flora and fauna

The river lies in the western Weald, an area of undulating countryside containing a mixture of woodland and heathland areas. A 2017 study by Dr. Alison Barker FRES recorded eight species of damselfly and eleven species of dragonfly that inhabited the river.^{[2] [4]}

Pollution

In December 2013, a high level of ammonia pollution was found in the river by Kirkford, which was deadly to the river's fish.^[5] In September 2016, a dairy farm was ordered to pay an £8,000 fine for letting effluent pollute a 13km (08miles) stretch of the river.^[6]

Notes and References

1. "Arun and Rother River Explorer: A Curriculum Linked Resource Pack for Teachers of Key Stages One and Two". Arun and Rother Connections (ARC) – Linking Landscape and Community. p. 7. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
2. "Project to shed light on river’s health". South Downs National Park – southdowns.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
3. [Ordnance Survey]
4. Barker, Alison (April 2018) "Report on a survey of Dragonflies and Damselflies on the River Kird 2017". South Downs National Park Authority. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
5. Scott-Delany, Finn (4 December 2013) "Fish die after "significant" pollution incidents hit West Sussex". The Argus. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
6. "Billingshurst farm fined for polluting river", 30 September 2016. BBC News. Retrieved 9 November 2021.