Rivers, lakes and watercourses
A watercourse is any natural or man-made channel that water flows through. These can include rivers, streams, brooks, ditches, drains and culverts (pipes).
If you see a problem with a river, stream, or culvert in Liverpool, report it to the right agency so it gets fixed.
Problems may include:
- flooding from ordinary watercourses
- significant blockages such as rubbish, soil or debris that restrict flow.
- collapsed or badly damaged banks on non-main rivers.
- unapproved works on a watercourse that restricts water flow.
Who is responsible?
The River Mersey
The River Mersey has been designated a main river by the Environment Agency and you should report any issues directly to them.
Report a blockage in a river or call the 24-hour Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.
Ordinary watercourses
Ordinary watercourses do not form part of a main river. In Liverpool, we have around 3.6km of watercourses that the council is responsible for. To report issues with any of the following watercourses, please use our blocked or damaged drain process.
- Allerton Brook
- Childwall Brook — Walsingham Road
- Jordan River — Otterspool Park
- Lee Park
- Lower Tue Brook — Fazakerley Road
- Lower Tue Brook — Glenbank Close
- Lower Tue Brook — Long Lane to Durley Road
- Lower Tue Brook — Wareing Road to Higher Lane
- Oglet Brook
- Stamfordham Drain
- Thornhead Brook
- Upper Jordan — Ibbotsons Lane
- Upper Tue Brook — Gardner Road to West Derby Road
Park lakes
Our parks maintenance team look after watercourses in our parks and greenspaces. To report issues with lakes or watercourses in the following parks, please use our parks and greenspaces report form.
- Calderstones Park
- Greenbank Park
- Larkhill Gardens
- Newsham Park
- Princes Park
- Walton Hall Park
Leeds/Liverpool Canal
The Canal and River Trust is responsible for the Leeds/Liverpool Canal. Please report any issues directly to them via the Canal and River Trust website.
Private property
If you own land or property with a river, stream, ditch, or pipe (culvert) running on, under, or alongside it, you are a riparian owner. This means you are legally responsible for that watercourse.
You must ensure water can flow freely through your stretch of the watercourse without obstruction, pollution, or diversion.
You have the right to protect your land from flooding and erosion, but you must get consent from your local council or the Environment Agency before doing any work in or around the watercourse, such as changing the banks or putting in new pipe.