The stream enters the northernmost end of the reserve at Monument Pond.  The flow of the Stream through the rest of the reserve is controlled by a sluice gate at one of the two outlets to this pond.  Stopping the flow of flood water into the stream can help prevent the rapid siltation of the ponds and lakes further to the south. 

The flood water is diverted by closing the sluice and forcing the water over a spillway and into a restored leat, safely away from the Wetland, Kingfisher Pond and the Lake.  The stream is mainly shallow, fast moving and gravel or stone bottomed.  This means that in general  the stream water will hold more dissolved oxygen than that in the still water lake and ponds, so supporting different numbers of invertebrate species in comparison.