Conservation of the Environment
The area has an abundance of wildlife and plants, which would be jeopardised if the weir failed.
Wet Woodlands and the Fens are priority national and local Biodiversity Action Plan habitats. The wet woodland has species such as alder and willow with a ground flora including yellow loosestrife and wood clubrush, which are Derbyshire rarities. The fens either side of Stoke Brook are dominated by meadowsweet with a number of sedges and orchids. They are also a breeding site for harvest mice, one of only two locations in the Peak District National Park.
Water Voles, a protected species have a healthy population on the River Derwent around Froggatt where they inhabit water burrows along the riverbank.
Noteworthy breeding species of birds and ducks, which have been seen along the river include, dipper, kingfisher, grey wagtail and goosander. More common are mallard, coot and moorhen.
Fish have gradually returned to the River and there are now good stocks of brown trout, and some bullhead and brook lamprey.
