Papplewick Dam remains open to the public throughout the
year, with access from Linby Lane at SK 547511. The River Leen is a tributary of the R. Trent. The Leen rises at Robin Hood's Spring (in Joan Slut Plantation in the parish of Kirkby) and runs southwards along the western edge of the parish of Papplewick towards Nottingham. The river and valley floor form an important protective corridor for wildlife and several rare species of flora and fauna can be found either in the high quality clean water or along the river banks.
One such creature, the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotambius pallipes) can be found in the upper Leen. The Department of the Environment produced a Biodiversity Action Plan in 1994 identifying 402 species which were rare, threatened or vulnerable. The white-clawed crayfish is one of the 116 species for which actions plans have been prepared. These species have been selected because they are the most threatened or rapidly declining and action plans developed to maintain or improve their status in the environment. Further, white-clawed crayfish are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are classified as globally threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Just south of where the R. Leen enters Papplewick parish, near Iron Carr Wood, it passes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I), part of the Quarry Banks S.S.S.I. at Linby. Herons can be seen feeding here in the summer months.
A little further south (immediately north of
Linby Lane), the R. Leen passes through what was once Papplewick
Dam. Originally built around 1780 to feed Castle Mill and
regulate the flow of water between Papplewick and Bulwell,
Papplewick Dam formed an expanse of open water extending to
almost 3 hectares. In June 1946, the Hucknall Co-op decided to
drain the Dam, demolish Castle Mill, fill it and reclaim the land
for agriculture. Two years later, the tipping of refuse commenced
and continued sporadically until 1962. Thereafter, lush
vegetation began to takeover. In 1985, Nottinghamshire County
Council recognised its worth as an ecological habitat and
publicly accessible amenity. They entered into an agreement with
the owners, Greater Nottingham Co-operative Society, and work got
underway in March 1987. The Leen Valley Spadework Team pruned and
felled a number of dangerous willow trees. Papplewick Dam remains open to the public throughout the
year, with access from Linby Lane at SK 547511.
South of Linby Lane is an area known as Moor Pond Wood, (see picture) which is the remains of another former mill-pond. This is also managed as an amenity woodland, and a permissive path has been constructed through the woodland. This is a favourite spot for wild fowl, as well as woodland birds and mammals.
Five hundred metres south of Moor Pond (and south of Grange Farm), the river flows through an extensive area of reeds and associated wetland, which are rare and sensitive ecosystems. (SK 549495) The shallow water and boggy surroundings contain wetland species which are increasing rare in Nottinghamshire. They in turn support wildlife including:- Marsh Harrier, (which were recorded in 1993 as a winter visitor); Turtle Doves; Reed Warblers; Grasshopper Warblers and Reed Buntings. All these species are threatened both locally and nationally. This wetland area also provides a hunting habitat for the Long-eared Owl and a breeding place for Harvest Mice.