View source for Old River Severn, Upper Lode

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox SSSI
|image=[[Image:Cuscuta europaea (on Urtica dioica).jpg|200px]]
|image_caption = Greater dodder on nettle
|name=Old River Severn, Upper Lode
|aos=Gloucestershire
|interest=Biological
|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SO880331}}
|coordinates = {{coord|51.996664|-2.175462|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|area=3.72 [[hectare]]
|notifydate=1985
|enref=1003255
}}

'''Old River Severn, Upper Lode''' ({{gbmapping|SO880331}}) is a {{convert|3.72|ha|adj=on}} [[biological Site of Special Scientific Interest]] in [[Gloucestershire]], [[SSSI notification|notified]] in 1985. It is a cross county border site between Gloucestershire and [[Herefordshire]] and [[Worcestershire]].<ref name="NE citation">[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1003255 Natural England SSSI information on the citation]</ref><ref>[http://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1784 Tewkesbury Borough Local Plan to 2011, adopted March 2006, Appendix 3 'Nature Conservation', Sites of Special Scientific Interest]</ref>

It is on the west side of the Severn to [[Severn Ham, Tewkesbury]] SSSI.

==Location==
The [[Severn]] at this site is an old meander which was cut off from the main flow of the river when Upper Lode lock was built.  It is a relatively quiet backwater that joins the Severn at the south end.<ref name="NE citation"/>

==Habitat and flora==
The meander now supports a diverse range of habitats as a result of the seclusion.  These in turn support a variety of plant life and there are at least six nationally rare species. The channel has silted up at the furthest part from the main river.  Where spoil has been dumped historically in the channel the area has become rough grassland.<ref name="NE citation"/>

Habitats are open water, marginal mud, inland saltmarsh, willow carr, neutral grassland, scrub and woodland.  The main river controls the level of the water which fluctuates as the Severn is a tidal river.<ref name="NE citation"/>

Aquartic plants supported are [[Potamogeton|pondweed]], [[flowering rush]], [[water forget-me-not]], [[water-cress]] and [[water dock]]. There is [[white willow]], [[crack willow]] and [[Salix viminalis|osier]]. In the area of rough grassland the nationally rare [[Poa palustris|swamp meadow grass]] may be found. Woodland trees include [[alder]] and [[Fraxinus|ash]] as well as willow.<ref name="NE citation"/>

Nationally rare species supported include [[greater dodder]] which parasitises nettle.  There is also [[Persicaria|tasteless water-pepper]], [[Persicaria|small water pepper]], [[Limosella aquatica|mudwort]] and [[Eleocharis acicularis|needle spike rush]]. This is the only known site in Gloucestershire for small water pepper, mudwort and needle spike rush. [[Alisma lanceolatum|Narrow-leaved water plantain]], keeled garlic (''Allium carinatus''), glaucous bulrush (''Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani'') and sea club rush (''Scirpus maritimus'') are also recorded.<ref name="NE citation"/>

==Fauna==
Birds include [[mallard]], [[Eurasian coot|coot]], [[Common reed warbler|reed warbler]] and [[sedge warbler]]. [[Common kingfisher|Kingfisher]] are present and waders are reported such as [[common redshank|redshank]], [[common sandpiper]] and [[Northern lapwing|lapwing]]. Dragonflies are present including the relatively scarce [[migrant hawker]] and [[white-legged damselfly]].<ref name="NE citation"/>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==SSSI Source==
* [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1003255 Natural England SSSI information on the citation]
* [http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/unitlist.cfm?sssi_id=1003255 Natural England SSSI information on the Old River Severn, Upper Lode units]

==External links==
* [http://www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England] (SSSI information)

<gallery>
Image:Upper Lode Lock and Weir on the Severn, Tewkesbury - geograph.org.uk - 4768.jpg|Upper Lode Lock and Weir on the Severn
Image:Footbridge at Upper Lode.jpg|Footbridge at Upper Lode
Image:Weir on the River Severn - geograph.org.uk - 1516081.jpg|Weir on the River Severn at Upper Lode
Image:Sunken Boat in the River Severn - geograph.org.uk - 1516100.jpg|Bank protection at Upper Lode
</gallery>
{{SSSIs Gloucs biological}}

[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1985]]