Eye Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eye Brook |
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Confluence of the Eye Brook and the River Welland
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 Location of the river mouth in Rutland
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| Country | England |
| Counties | Rutland, Leicestershire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Tilton on the Hill, Leicestershire 203 m (666 ft) 52°38′06″N 0°55′17″W / 52.634877°N 0.921321°W |
| River mouth | River Welland Caldecott, Rutland 49 m (161 ft) 52°31′47″N 0°42′32″W / 52.529818°N 0.708942°W |
| Length | 29.4 km (18.3 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | River Welland |
| Basin size | 60.8 km2 (23.5 sq mi) |
The Eye Brook is a small river in the East Midlands of England. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river, the River Welland. The Eye Brook is about 29 kilometers (18 miles) long.
Contents
The Journey of the Eye Brook
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The Eye Brook starts its journey between two villages, Tilton on the Hill and Skeffington, in Leicestershire. It flows east through a narrow valley, heading towards East Norton.
As it gets close to the A47 main road, the brook begins to mark the border between two counties: Leicestershire and Rutland. On one side is Belton-in-Rutland, and on the other is Allexton.
The brook then turns southeast, passing by the village of Stockerston. Between Stoke Dry and Caldecott, the brook was blocked by a wall (a dam) to create the Eyebrook Reservoir. Soon after leaving the reservoir, the Eye Brook meets the larger River Welland.
Wildlife and Nature
Much of the land around the Eye Brook is a special protected area called a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Experts from English Nature have said that this river is one of the most "natural" in the county. This means it hasn't been changed much by people.
Fish Species in the Brook
The Eye Brook is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find fish like roach, dace, and chub swimming in its waters. Wild brown trout also lay their eggs (spawn) in the lower parts of the river.
Research and Conservation
People are studying the Eye Brook to learn more about its history and how to protect it.
The Eye Brook Community Heritage Project
The Eye Brook Community Heritage Project is a special effort to learn about the area. It looks at how land has been used over time and how people have managed the natural resources. This project also studies the plants and animals (ecology) of the brook. It received money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help with its work.
The Allerton Project
The Eye Brook area is also where The Allerton Project is located. This is a research farm run by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. They study how different ways of farming affect wildlife and the environment. It helps farmers learn how to grow crops while also protecting nature.
Current Health of the Eye Brook
In 2016, the Eye Brook's overall health was rated as "Poor" under the Water Framework Directive. This means its natural condition had gotten worse since 2013.
Why the Brook's Health Declined
There are a few reasons why the brook's health went down. One reason is how farm animals are managed, which can affect the plants in the water. Another issue is treated wastewater from homes that enters the river. Also, an unwanted type of Signal crayfish has moved into the brook, which can harm the native species.
