Geography of the River Welland

The Geography of The River Welland

The River Welland rises near Sibbertoft, west of Market Harborough and flows through Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, before reaching Stamford, where it is one of the features that makes the town so attractive. Below Stamford, the river continues on its way to Market Deeping and Spalding where its character changes, slowing down as it becomes one of the four fenland rivers which drain the Fens, before entering The Wash.

Over the past 50 years the river has been deepened, straightened and polluted and as a result, there has been vast habitat loss which has greatly reduced the ecological value of the river. Alongside the reduction in wildlife, the river has been largely neglected as a source of amenity and recreation for those who live nearby.

The WRT exists to facilitate the protection and development of the River Welland via the creation and completion of several projects across the Welland.