Management of a watercourse (drainage ditch)


We have moved and inherited a watercourse aka a drainage
ditch. It’s 70-80m long and our boundary
is at/slightly beyond its far bank. It’s a slope of about 10%. Apparently in times of heavy rain water does
flow but I think mostly it’s dry. It’s
been neglected and is populated with mostly ivy, brambles and nettles as well
as having a lot of soil, stones and garden waste. It’s also largely surrounded by trees. I’d like to look after it and make it a bit of
a feature but not sure where to start. I want to encourage a bit of diversity
but don’t want it to be too cultivated or make it a lot of work to maintain. Vegetation-wise I was thinking of starting by
blitzing it with the brushcutter and digging at least some of what’s there out,
and/or maybe do some selective weedkilling. That’s about as much as I have thought about
it so suggestions welcome.
Replies
Do a Google search for' streamside planting' for ideas
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