The question asked of the children in this survey was whether the river should be allowed to meander, with its associated problems of erosion and deposition, or should attempts be made to control it?
After the survey, the children discussed what they had observed and talked about both sides of the argument.
The older children also produced their own management plans.
Here are some of the children's ideas.

My Management Plan for the River Swale

1. To stop the river erosion:Control the rabbits by putting traps. Put rocks and boulders down. Put a little beach of soil and stones.
2. To keep river free from pollution:Put signs up to say 'Don't put rubbish in River, please'.
3. Put litter bins and put new fences up in case it floods.
4. Control the flooding: Build a barrier to stop it flooding the farmers' fields. Put some trees to help it. Divert the tributaries to help it.
5. The Swing Bridge: Build a bigger and better one and don't make it swing because some people don't like it.
6. Make a map all about the area and put it on a tree.
7. Make an area into a picnic area.Put an information board and put it on a tree all about the animals that live around the river.

• The children might prefer it to be managed so they can always go to a favourite place every time. If it meanders their favourite spot might be ruined.
•If it meanders lots of wildlife's homes will be destroyed when the river floods.
• I think the farmers would prefer the River Swale to be managed because their fields will get destroyed as the river erodes the banks and there will be nothing left eventually.
• The visitors want it both managed, so they have somewhere to walk, but also left to meander for the beauty.
•The businesses in the area are hoping all the visitors will come if it is a quiet and peaceful village so they would probably want it to meander.
• I think they should manage it because many animals have been killed from the floods all ready, and it's nearly winter when you get a lot of rain and snow and bad weather.
• If wild animals have stayed alive, many of their homes have been washed away by the river. A bit of the river is near the road and that is a lot of trouble because so many people can't get home and it is very dangerous.