The term ‘Riparian Owner’ describes anyone who owns property alongside or through which a natural water course flows. Under common law such owners possess rights and responsibilities in relation to the stretch of the watercourse that flows through or adjacent to their property. A watercourse may be anything from a ditch to a main river. It is normally presumed that a Riparian Owner owns land up to the centre line of a non-tidal watercourse.
If this applies to you, please be aware of the rights and responsibilities you have:
Dorset Wildlife Trust have written an excellent leaflet about managing your garden stream for Wildlife. Read it here .