The vast majority of these ponds are man- made and therefore require some form of management to retain open water. As is the case with non working mill ponds, large quantities of sediment become deposited when the water slows. Several ponds have recently been de-silted and restored, including those owned by the Loose Swiss Scouts and the nature reserve pond below Pympes Court Farm. Many of the mill ponds in the northern section of the of the Valley are part of private gardens and contain a mixture of cultivated and native plant species. The village pond in Loose was recently surveyed and contained a mixture of the following species: Water Mint, Meadow Sweet, Common Reed Mace, Water Drop wort, Bitter Sweet, Yellow Iris, Branched Bur Reed, Greater Tussock sedge, Brooklime, Water Figwort, Water Forget-Me-Not, Great Willow Herb. The non- native and invasive plant species Himalayan Balsam which has become widespread in the Medway catchments has appeared on the Loose Stream and efforts should be made to eradicate it or prevent its spread.