How We're Managing Water Levels at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Bobbie Lane
, 15 July 2026
How We're Managing Water Levels at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve © David Buston

Managing water levels at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is a constant balancing act.
Over the past year, our nature reserve team has faced a number of challenges keeping water levels at the right level for wildlife.

Bio-beads © Sarah Watson
Bio-beads © Sarah Watson

Following the plastic bio-bead spill in November 2025, Southern Water's contractors temporarily blocked the sluice that allows seawater into the reserve. While this successfully prevented bio-beads from entering sensitive habitats, it also meant less water could enter during the winter months.
This was followed by one of the driest springs on record, with rainfall well below average and water levels falling further. Thankfully, we were able to restore seawater flows, and a series of high tides helped replenish water levels for a short period.
The recent extreme heat has presented another challenge, as increased evaporation causes water levels to drop more quickly.

Ranger Matt at sluice on the reserve © Bobbie Lane
Ranger Matt at sluice on the reserve © Bobbie Lane

Not every tide is high enough to bring water into the reserve, particularly during the summer months when tidal ranges are generally lower.
Tides are lower in the summer because the Earth is at 'aphelion' (its farthest point from the Sun), which weakens the Sun's gravitational pull on the oceans. Additionally, during the summer solstice, the Sun is at its maximum angle away from the celestial equator, meaning its tidal forces are less aligned with the Moon's, resulting in less extreme daily tidal ranges.
This means we cannot always top up water levels when needed.

Behind the scenes, we're working on improvements to our water-control infrastructure and designing new habitats that will give us greater flexibility in managing water levels. These changes will help make the reserve more resilient to future climate extremes and continue providing vital habitats for wildlife.

Thank you for your support as we work to protect and enhance Rye Harbour Nature Reserve for both wildlife and people.

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