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Drop Lane, ST. ALBANS, AL2 3TX

This information board shows an image of the River Ver with its creatures and plants being numbered in the description below. The top heading reads: The River Ver: a scarce and irreplaceable part of our landscape Water, light and chalk are the key elements that bring life to the river. Left hand column The animals and plants that live in or by the chalk rivers are special. They have evolved a complex web of relationships necessary for their survival. At the base of this web, the leaf litter and organic material which falls into the river provides food for microbes and insects like mayfly larvae(1) and caddis fly larvae. The larvae of some species of caddis fly(4) for example, make a silken net in the river to catch this material for food. The organic material also provides nutrients for water crowfoot plants(2) which in turn provide food and shelter for freshwater shrimps(3), caddis and mayflies (5), and fish like brown trout(8). Adult branded demoiselles(6) are often found perched on the plants by the river but their larvae live and feed in the river. Bullheads(7) eat mayfly and caddis fly larvae too. The fish attaches its eggs in clumps on to the undersides of large stones and guards them until they hatch. Brown trout spawn in the gravel of fast flowing sections. They make a nest called a redd. Young trout called fry seek shelter amongst the water crowfoot and feed on the flies. Birds such as swallows(9) also feed on the mayflies when they hatch out. Signal crayfish(10) are a recently introduced, predatory species. They feed on the native wildlife and they also carry crayfish plague to which the native white-clawed crayfish are highly susceptible. Willows(11) have been pollarded to increase light and stimulate vegetation growth on the banks and in the river. Local volunteers have installed structures in the river to restore meanders and to create wild habitats. The river water originates from a natural reservoir called an aquifer in the underground chalk. When you turn on your tap at home, the water comes from the same source. Please try to conserve water, keep the Ver flowing, and help the wildlife that depends on it.

Located at the north end of Riverside Way, this information board has the following wording: Riverside Way Riverbanks are attractive to wildlife.Many of the birds and insects are visitors. How many will you spot today? Left hand column Riverside Way is an easy access path alongside the River Ver for walkers, wheelchair users, cyclists and horseriders. Follow the path to the end of the site (1.2km, 3/4Mile) and take time out to enjoy a picnic. Although it now appears to be natural countryside, the river was diverted to its present course to allow for gravel extraction. The valley of the River Ver starts near Kensworth Lynch just over the Hertfordshire border in Bedfordshire. The Ver converges with the River Colne just offside from Riverside Way (see map). Right hand column The river once provided the power for a dozen water mills along its length. Moor Mill, Smug Oak Lane (see map) is over 500 years old. Flour milling ceased there in the early 1900s and it has been restored as a pub-restaurant. Springs that feed the River Ver were used for watercress cultivation from the mid 19th century until the 1950s. Don't let your walk end here! There are numerous public paths linking into the local area. Use Ordnance Survey Explorer map 182 - St Albans and Hatfield - to help plan your route (available from bookshops and libraries). In the middle is the Map of the Riverside Way at Moor Mill (M25) TL1502 refers to where it joins the River Colne, TL1401 refers. Surrounding the map are images of Alder, Blackthorn and Willow trees, Horsetail and Watercress plants, Heron, Kingfisher and Moorhen birds, and Blue Damselfly species.

This photo shows a wooden board by the River Ver south of Colney Street. It has the following wording on it: RIVERSIDE WAY A 3/4 mile long site beside the River Ver for walkers, horseriders and picnickers to enjoy Owned by Hertfordshire County Council

Viewed looking upstream from the Smug Oak Lane bridge.

Over the years the River Ver has proved itself to be a natural resource in many ways. It has always been used to provide a drinking water supply for human beings but other uses have included defence, a source of power and a focus for recreation and leisure.