Skip to Content

Special Areas of Conservation

Ouse Washes

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country England
Unitary Authority East Anglia
Centroid* TL498895
Latitude 52.48277778
Longitude 0.205833333
SAC EU Code UK0013011
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 332.61
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Ouse Washes SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (50%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (20%)
  • Improved grassland (30%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1149 Spined loach Cobitis taenia

    The Ouse Washes represent spined loach Cobitis taenia populations within the River Ouse catchment. The Counter Drain, with its clear water and abundant macrophytes, is particularly important, and a healthy population of spined loach is known to occur.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.