The channel provides a variety of habitats, because is passes through different soil types along its length.
Near Fordham and West Dereham, the river bed is composed of Sandringham Sands with coarse pebbles and a high quartz content.
In these conditions, the channel becomes choked with dense mats of the green algae Cladophora glomerata and Canadian pond weed.
Near Methwold and Feltwell, the underlying rocks are chalk, resulting in the bed being covered in fine silts, on which little aquatic flora grows.
Near Hockwold cum Wilton, flora is dominated by shining pondweed and Canadian pond weed.
Surveys in 1997 and 1998 found that the channel has been colonised by a small population of depressed river mussel, which were first found at Brookville, near Methwold, where the bed consists of fine chalky silts.
The intake for the Ely-Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme is at Blackdyke, and in order to prevent the intakes getting clogged with vegetation, a stretch of about 0.6 miles (1 km) either side of the intake is dredged with a dragline each year.
The channel, which is about 16 feet (4.9 m) deep at this point, supports blanket weed at the sides, and the bed consists of chalk silt.
Examination of the dredgings revealed irregular distributions of the depressed river mussel in this location as well.

Under the Water Framework Directive, there is an obligation to achieve good chemical and ecological status on all bodies of water within the EU.
The Cut-off Channel failed to meet these requirements, because fish could enter the channel at Denver sluice, and become trapped, with no access to suitable habitat or links to other waterways.
The solution adopted was to provide a fish pass between the channel and the River Wissey.
There is a difference in level of about 8.2 feet (2.5 m) where they cross, and any solution needed to maintain the integrity of the flood defence structures, while being suitable for a variety of fish types, including gudgeon, perch, pike and roach.
The solution adopted was a syphon fish pass, designed in Holland, but adapted to suit the UK conditions.
This included an integrated eel pass, cut off valves to allow the syphon to be isolated, and telemetry monitoring.
The construction project lasted for nine months in 2013, and cost £407,000, although installation of the syphon was achieved in just four days.
The Environment Agency worked with Hull International Fisheries Institute to assess its initial effectiveness, and developed a five-year plan with Cranfield University for ongoing monitoring, to include study of trout spawning runs and silver eel migration.
The channel provides a variety of habitats, because is passes through different soil types along its length. Near Fordham and West Dereham, the river bed is composed of Sandringham Sands with coarse pebbles and a high quartz content. In these conditions, the channel becomes choked with dense mats of the green algae Cladophora glomerata and Canadian pond weed. Near Methwold and Feltwell, the underlying rocks are chalk, resulting in the bed being covered in fine silts, on which little aquatic flora grows. Near Hockwold cum Wilton, flora is dominated by shining pondweed and Canadian pond weed. Surveys in 1997 and 1998 found that the channel has been colonised by a small population of depressed river mussel, which were first found at Brookville, near Methwold, where the bed consists of fine chalky silts. The intake for the Ely-Ouse to Essex Transfer Scheme is at Blackdyke, and in order to prevent the intakes getting clogged with vegetation, a stretch of about 0.6 miles (1 km) either side of the intake is dredged with a dragline each year. The channel, which is about 16 feet (4.9 m) deep at this point, supports blanket weed at the sides, and the bed consists of chalk silt. Examination of the dredgings revealed irregular distributions of the depressed river mussel in this location as well.
Under the Water Framework Directive, there is an obligation to achieve good chemical and ecological status on all bodies of water within the EU. The Cut-off Channel failed to meet these requirements, because fish could enter the channel at Denver sluice, and become trapped, with no access to suitable habitat or links to other waterways. The solution adopted was to provide a fish pass between the channel and the River Wissey. There is a difference in level of about 8.2 feet (2.5 m) where they cross, and any solution needed to maintain the integrity of the flood defence structures, while being suitable for a variety of fish types, including gudgeon, perch, pike and roach. The solution adopted was a syphon fish pass, designed in Holland, but adapted to suit the UK conditions. This included an integrated eel pass, cut off valves to allow the syphon to be isolated, and telemetry monitoring. The construction project lasted for nine months in 2013, and cost £407,000, although installation of the syphon was achieved in just four days. The Environment Agency worked with Hull International Fisheries Institute to assess its initial effectiveness, and developed a five-year plan with Cranfield University for ongoing monitoring, to include study of trout spawning runs and silver eel migration.
Cut-off Channel