Geograph - photograph every grid square

In the foreground is the River Welland, swollen with recent rains to fill the width of the allocated channel. And rather more.

Beyond the river is water standing in the fields known as the Crowland Fodder Lots, between the course of the River Welland and the New River, a wholly artificial medieval river used to control the waters coming down the river. Between them were washlands designed to take the worst excesses of winter wetness on land whose agricultural purpose was fulfilled in the summer months. The Crowland Fodder lots grew the summer hay that fed the cattle into the winter months, or for a brave few all the way through to breed again the following spring. Those with an eagle eye will spot the famous tower of Crowland Abbey.

There are a string of washlands between the Welland and the New rivers, all the way to Spalding. When the Coronation Channel was built around Spalding in 1953 it was intended to replace the need to deliberately flood the washes. It didn't work. I recall Cowbit Wash under water through much of the 60s and 70s. Nevertheless the Environment Agency declared last year that the washlands were no longer required and could be reused for human purpose.

I present here a counter argument.