River Crouch
The River Crouch is a River that flows West to East through the English
County of Essex.
The source is a Noak Bridge,on Noak Hill Road at Basildon . At this
point the River is a small stream capable of being contained in a
concrete culvert as it passes through new housing estates at Wickford.
Although it then broadens slightly the street remains comparatively
small until it reaches the
tidal section at Battlesbridge.
From Battlesbridge the River flows in a wide estuary for 17.5 miles
until it reaches the North Sea at Holliwell Point.
Several streams flow into the Crouch but the major tributary is the
River Roach.
Wildlife and Conservation
The Crouch and Roach Estuaries are of international importance for
wildlife.
The relatively mild climate and abundance of food attract
internationally important numbers of wild fowl and waders during the
winter months.
Nearly twenty-five thousand water birds visit the estuary each year
including nationally important numbers of shelduck, shoveler and
The Essex Coast provides over-wintering for around one fifth of the
world population of dark bellied Brent Geese with an average peak of
just over 6 thousand birds (about
Nationally important coastal marsh
The tidal flats, saltmarsh and
coastal grassland and ditch systems also support thirteen species
of nationally scarce plant and important populations of rare
invertebrates.
An important breeding population of grey seal can be found at the mouth
of the crouch estuary.
Consequently the area is subject to a wide range of international,
national and regional designations, the Crouch and Roach Estuary is a
Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar
(wetland) site.
Passenger Ferry across the Crouch
A passenger ferry operates from Burnham to Essex marina in the summer
months.
Shipping on the Crouch
The port of Baltic Wharf at Wallasea is sited on the River Crouch on the
opposite bank to Burnham on Crouch.
Click here to visit a page on this web site about shipping on the Crouch
Fishing
There are no longer fishing boats based at Burnham carrying out out
daily commercial fishing.
There are several boast who carry parties of sea anglers for fishing
trips in the Crouch and off the Coastline although many anglers try
beach fishing on the sandy beaches of the coast or fishing from the
River Wall in the Crouch.
Anglers tend to catch codling and whiting during the autumn and winter
and in warmer weather the Crouch is famous for large Bass although
mackerel, flounders, plaice, dogfish and garfish are also common.
Yachting/Sailing
The Crouch is noted for its sailing qualities despite its comparatively
narrow estuary.
Care needs to be taken in navigation as the fast flowing water in River
where shallows are frequent can prove hazardous especially in adverse
wind conditions.
There are numerous anchoring areas both onshore and offshore and the mud
banks offer a suitable overnight base for yachtsmen.
Yacht Clubs
Up River Club
Eyott Sailing Club
Brandy Hole yacht Club
Essex Marina Yacht Club
Creeksea Sailing Club
Yacht Harbours
Fambridge Yacht Haven
Essex Marina
Burnham Yacht Harbour
Water Skiing
Water Skiing is unlawful on most of the River Crouch and is totally
banned on the River Roach.
Areas at Clements Green Creek ,Woodham Ferrers, Hayes Farm and The River
Crouch Near Brandy Hole have been designated as suitable for water
skiing
Click here
to visit the Crouch Harbour Authority map of permissible areas and
information on water Skiing.
Water Ski Clubs
Woodham Ferrers Water Ski Club
