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Dorset's River Frome is the most westerly major chalk river in England, flowing southeast for approximately 60km from the Dorset Downs, through Dorchester and onwards to form the northern fringe of the Isle of Purbeck before entering Poole Harbour. The river is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) from Dorchester to Wareham.   

The headwaters encompass four distinct river waterbodies:

1. The Frome Headwaters
2. The Wraxall Broo
3. The Upper Frome
4. The River Hooke

The headwater catchments are key to improving the whole river from source to sea.

Pressures on the river are many; pollution from urban and agricultural land use, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, climate pressures and the legacy of historical channel modifications all inhibit the ecological potential of the river. None of these issues can be singled out, they all have interlinking, significant impacts.   

With Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve in the heart of the catchment, Dorset Wildlife Trust has worked in partnership with farmers in the Hooke Catchment for over ten years; reconnecting and expanding wet woodlands and delivering a suite of natural flood management measures.

Building on the success of this work, and with funding from both Wessex Water and the Environment Agency’s Chalkstream Partnership Fund, have now built the foundations of expanding this work into the other three headwater catchments through writing a restoration strategy and initiating baseline monitoring last year. This complimented the already established Farmers of Upper Frome cluster group funded by the Countryside Stewardship Facilitator Fund.

This year, we have formalized our partnership with Wessex Water to co-lead the Frome Headwaters Chalkstream Flagship Restoration Project. We are supported by Dorset Catchment Partnership and will also draw on Natural England for countryside stewardship higher tier applications and the Environment Agency for technical expertise. It’s a truly collaborative approach with farmers at the heart and support from multiple partners, all of whom aspire to a resilient and sustainable chalk stream with rich and diverse ecology. 

It’s a holistic view identifying action for catchment land use, water company assets, fluvial processes and hydrogeomorphology and ecology. Plans for delivery on the ground are still embryonic but through the water company funding we have at least five years to deliver implement the restoration plan.