The Orwell estuary is designated as a RAMSAR, SPA and SSSI and supports four bird species in nationally significant numbers. The river Gipping has more industry in its headwaters than other catchments within the East Suffolk Rivers management catchment. Amenity use is also considerable with a public towpath along the entire length of the river Gipping.

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The view the Environment Agency's Catchment Data Explorer page for this river click here.