Dowles Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dowles Brook |
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Dowles Brook within the Wyre Forest
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 Location within Worcestershire
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| Country | England |
| Counties | Shropshire, Worcestershire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Bagginswood, Shropshire |
| River mouth | River Severn, Worcestershire 52°23′06″N 2°19′29″W / 52.38500°N 2.32472°W |
| Length | 15.5 km (9.6 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 46.2 km2 (17.8 sq mi) |
Dowles Brook is a small river that flows through the beautiful Wyre Forest in England. It travels through the area once known as the civil parish of Dowles before joining the larger River Severn.
Protecting Dowles Brook
Dowles Brook is a special place for nature. However, an unwanted plant called Himalayan Balsam started growing there. This plant is an invasive species. This means it is not native to the area and can take over, harming local plants and animals.
In 2012, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust started an important project. They worked to remove the Himalayan Balsam from a 3-kilometer (about 2-mile) section of the brook. This project was funded by the Environment Agency.
Why Remove Himalayan Balsam?
The goal was to improve biodiversity. Biodiversity means having many different kinds of living things in an area. The project also aimed to reduce soil erosion. Soil erosion happens when soil is washed away, often by water. Himalayan Balsam can make soil erosion worse.
A smaller test project was first done on Lem Brook. This is a stream that flows into Dowles Brook. The test was successful! However, the seeds of Himalayan Balsam can stay in the soil for up to two years. Because of this, more removal work was planned for 2014. The area is still watched closely to make sure the plant does not return.
A Nature Lover's Legacy
A long time ago, in 1902, a man named Jannion Steele Elliott bought Dowles Manor. He was an ornithologist (someone who studies birds) and a naturalist (someone who studies nature). His manor was located near where Dowles Brook meets the River Severn.
Over many years, Mr. Elliott bought more and more land around his manor. He slowly gathered ownership of the entire valley formed by Dowles Brook. He turned all this land into a special nature reserve. A nature reserve is an area protected for its wildlife and natural features. He kept it safe for nature until he passed away in 1942.
