The Ribble catchment covers a varied landscape that has been shaped by a variety of activities, including livestock farming in the upper part of the catchment to the industrialised urban areas such as Blackburn in the middle part of the catchment. These activities have all had an impact upon the water quality and quantity of the Ribble.  Historically, the landscape has also been modified as watercourses and wetlands were altered to improve land drainage.

Source: Environment Agency Integrated Management Plan for the Ribble