River Thames: Gloucestershire drought is a warning, experts say

Experts say the source does sometimes dry up but not to the extant is has done this year

BBC Dried up River Thames source — Experts say the source does sometimes dry up but not to the extant is has done this year

The source of the River Thames has dried up so much that there are no signs of aquatic life for 10 miles, experts say.

It comes after weeks of dry weather and record-breaking temperatures across the UK.

The source of the Thames has moved east from Kemble, Gloucestershire, to beyond Somerford Keynes.

Scientists say the unprecedented incident is "a stark warning" of what climate change has in store.

Parts of the riverbed in Gloucestershire regularly dry out during the summer, but not to the current extent.

The river source near Kemble is normally flowing with water as shown in this picture taken in 2000

River bed source — The river source near Kemble is normally flowing with water as shown in this picture taken in 2000

The Rivers Trust director of science and policy Dr Rob Collins said what has happened to the river is "not natural."

"There is absolutely no aquatic life to be seen for exactly 10 miles down stream. So it's really troubling to see it in this state," he said.

Dr Collins said the drought at the river's source should be taken as a climate crisis warning

Dr Rob Collins — Dr Collins said the drought at the river's source should be taken as a climate crisis warning

"This is going to be the new norm. So we really need to learn to adapt to it, learn to manage water more wisely and become more resilient to droughts and water scarcity."

The Rivers Trust is calling for accelerated metering, rapid reduction in leakage, support for households to reduce water usage, such as installing low-flow toilets and water butts, and sustainable drainage including rain gardens, wetlands and permeable paving to build up local stores of water underground.