It is managed by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust on behalf of the landowner, Shell UK,[4] and was founded in 2002.

[5] Before the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal the Gowy would have been tidal in this area and much of the reserve would have consisted of saltmarsh with brackish creeks, whose traces can still be seen in places.

[4] The pastureland is dominated by soft rush (Juncus effusus) and tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa).

Locally uncommon plants include meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum), brown sedge (Carex disticha), water violet (Hottonia palustris), whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica) and the carnivorous bladderwort (Utricularia australis).

[6] The reserve has valuable populations of aquatic invertebrates, including the "vulnerable" mud snail (Omphiscola glabra) and range-restricted lesser silver water beetle (Hydrochara caraboides).