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04 October 2010
The River Bela is a short river formed by the confluence of Stainton and Peasey Becks; it enters Morecambe Bay below Milnthorpe.
The river flows through pastureland and is intermittently fenced to exclude stock. The geology of the area is predominantly limestone which gives the waters a high pH, typically 8.5. The main river did not escape the attention of the flood prevention zealots in the 1960s who canalised whole sections and scooped out the river bed to construct levees. Not surprisingly, the best days of the river were before this act of vandalism occurred.
Nevertheless, the river has partially recovered and supports healthy populations of fish, invertebrates and a flora dominated by ranunculus, the latter grows so profusely that it has to be cut in the lower river from June onwards. This growth is especially luxuriant below the confluence with Holme Beck indicating that this beck is a major source of unwanted nutrients.
The fish populations are made up of brook lamprey, bullheads, stone loach, minnows, eels, sticklebacks, brown trout, sea trout and salmon. The migratory runs have increased greatly in the last 10 years since the Environment Agency opened up a fish pass at the Heron Corn Mill at Beetham opening up additional spawning areas for both salmon and sea trout in the headwaters.
The tributary becks all contain large populations of white clawed crayfish although the main Bela carries only occasional specimens.
Angling on the lower Bela is controlled by Bela Anglers who rent water from Dallam Estate. Milnthorpe Angling Association has the fishing from Heron Corn Mill upstream to Hang Bridge again, rented from Dallam Estate and also rent sections on Stainton and Peasy Becks from riparian owners. Lupton Flyfishers have a stretch of Lupton Beck.
Limited stocking is allowed on the main Bela between Hang Bridge and Beetham where Milnthorpe Anglers introduce ~400 fish per year. This Angling club is thought to be the oldest in Cumbria having been formed in 1858 and has records of stocking dating back to 1887.
Recent years has seen this club organise a number of environmental improvements
- Stock exclusion fencing to create buffer strips between pasture and river
- Tree planting
- Himalayan Balsam removal
- Fish refuges
- Barn owl box schemes
- Mink trapping
- Weed cutting
- Reinstatement of pool/riffle in the canalised areas.
- Regular monitoring of invertebrate through the Riverfly Partnership scheme
Fencing and trees along the Bela
