Bosham Stream - Important Update

Published 10:01 on 2 Aug 2026

After this prolonged period of dry weather the upper reaches of the Bosham Stream are at risk of running very low or even dry. We do not think this has happened in living memory. The Bosham Stream is a chalk stream, not a winterbourne stream.

Coupled with the leak that remains unrepaired near the corner of Ratham Lane this means twildlife along the lower reaches and millstream is similarly threatened. We have closed the two sluice gates at the club to raise the water levels in the millstream. We are trying to balance the sluices daily so that the water level remains as high as we can safely make it.

Unfortunately, the little rascals that delight in paddling in the millstream above the road bridge have levered quite big, heavy, stones out of the revetment by Quay Meadow in order to form a dam and raise the water level. This means that the water can flood onto Quay Meadow through the breach they have created. The National Trust have been informed and are trying to find the budget to cover the necessary emergency masonry repairs to the stone revetment but this will take months to happen.

The lower reach of the millstream by the Club is becoming very overgrown with reeds and other water weeds. We shall shortly be contacting our millstream team of volunteer members to undertake another few hours' work to clear the stream of vegetation over roughly half its width, leaving sufficient cover for our resident water voles.

Howard MacKenzie-Wilson

Last updated 10:01 on 2 August 2026