The Hodder catchment includes some of the most attractive landscapes within the Ribble catchment. The whole area is within the designated Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the uplands are in the Bowland Fells SSSI. The catchment has a highly valued fishery and is popular with anglers. Stocks Reservoir and other upland river intakes, provide a vital part of the North West’s public water supply. The Hodder valley is mostly agriculture with small rural villages including Dunsop Bridge and Slaidburn.