
River Ribble
The River and a significant area of the floodplain are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). SSSI’s are the country’s very best wildlife and geological sites. They include some of our most spectacular and beautiful habitats. Natural England work with land owners and managers to help manage and protect these important sites.
E-Newsletter
Long Preston Floodplain Project Trail
Download our map which shows two walks in the area and the locations of the 6 Long Preston interpretations boards.
Southwards from Settle the Ribble flows across a broad and flat floodplain that stretches as far downstream as Cow Bridge on the Wigglesworth to Long Preston Road. The floodplain is about 6 kilometres in length but the river channel is nearly 10 kilometres long.
A floodplain is an area that would naturally flood when there is too much water in the river. Following periods of heavy rainfall when the river is high, the Ribble spills over its banks across the floodplain. Historically, for farmers this was a good thing as fresh silt made the pastures more productive, but it also put the fields out of use until the water level had dropped and the soil was dry enough to put sheep and cattle back.
Until about 200 years ago local farmers had to live with this regular flooding but in 1799 an Enclosure Act was passed. This allowed the enclosure of parts of the floodplain, the drainage of lower riverside meadows and pastures and the embanking of the River Ribble and streams.
The Back Cut
In 1815 a main drainage ditch was dug by hand from The Crook to below Cow Bridge, called the Back Cut. It is 3 kilometres in length and has smaller ditches feeding in which dry out the floodplain.
It was originally cut as an open ditch but in 1858 a decision was made to raise the river embankments and to improve the Back Cut as the earlier attempt to control flooding had not worked.

More Information
River Restoration Plan
The historical flood banks still keep the River Ribble confined within it's channel in all but exceptionally wet periods. In 2010, a strategic level River Restoration Plan for the River Ribble (Long Preston Deeps) Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) was produced by Natural England and the Environment Agency.
This plan highlights opportunities for restoring the natural function of the River Ribble and it's floodplain, working with landowners. The plan includes important detail on the ecology and the geomorphology of the River Ribble within the SSSI.
Fish
This part of the Ribble has high water quality which attracts a wide variety of fish species. The Ribble is well known for its salmon and sea trout, which both spawn in tributaries of the project area and pass through on the way to their spawning grounds further up river.
Aquatic Flora
The Ribble flows down from limestone areas north of Settle so the river water here is rich in calcium. It also contains rich deposits of very fine silts. As a result, the Ribble is able to support aquatic flora - a community of plants living within the river channel .
Download
Full Interpretation Board
Useful Links
Record your bird sightings in
our area
www.eastlancsornithologists.org.uk
For information about the Long Preston area and community
RSPB Bird ID
Bird Identifier
Settle Community Website
Rathmell Community Website
Settle Tourist Information Centre
Natural England
Ribble River Trust
North Craven Historical
Research Group
North Craven Historical Website
Long Preston Gallery
Click here to view the gallery of the Long Preston Area.
Please click here to send us your photos of the Long Preston Area.
RSPB & BTO Bird Track
Help us to help the birds in our area, please visit Bird Track survey and get Long Preston on the birding map.
Project Audio
Full of lots of information to make your visit to Long Preston Floodplain Project fun and informative.
