Types of watercourses
Details on the different types of watercourse; main rivers, ordinary watercourses and canals and who is the responsible authority.
Main rivers
Main rivers, such as the River Soar, are those under the Authority of the Environment Agency, which is a non-departmental public body sponsored by DEFRA (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). You can View main rivers in Leicester - GOV.UK.
If you are planning to make any alteration to a Main River, a flood defence structure or propose to conduct work within the flood plain, you may need to obtain a valid Environmental Permit from the Environment Agency.
Please review:
- Environmental management: Environmental permits - GOV.UK
- Flood risk activities: environmental permits - GOV.UK
- Register or renew waste exemptions - GOV.UK
- Register your flood risk activity exemption: environmental permits - GOV.UK.
Ordinary Watercourses
Ordinary Watercourses are under the Authority of the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), which is either your Local Council or Internal Drainage Board. For Ordinary Watercourses in the city of Leicester, these are under the authority of Leicester City Council.
Ordinary watercourses in Leicester can be viewed on the Flood Risk Map. As a general rule any watercourse that is not a Main River, is considered an Ordinary Watercourse. So in the event that a watercourse is not mapped, it will be considered an Ordinary Watercourse. It may not have been formally mapped due to its small or isolated nature.
We recommend that any queries relating to unmapped watercourses in Leicester are directed to the LLFA at: flooding@leicester.gov.uk.
Canals
Canals in Leicester are under the authority of the Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk), this also includes tow paths and any canal infrastructure such as locks and sluices. The Grand Union Canal (canalrivertrust.org.uk) passes through Leicester connecting Birmingham to London.
Riparian owners and the maintenance of watercourses
A riparian owner is the name given to any person/business/organisation who owns a stretch of a watercourse (which is known as riparian ownership).
You usually own a stretch of watercourse:
- that runs on or under your land
- if it is located on the boundary of your land (you own up to its centre)
The deeds for the property or land define whether or not any sections of a watercourse are owned.
If you own a watercourse, you have maintenance responsibilities for the section of watercourse that you own. To understand your responsibilities visit: Owning a watercourse - GOV.UK.