River Glaven
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| River Glaven | ||
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| In North Norfolk | ||
 Shown within Norfolk |
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| In the United Kingdom | ||
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| Geography | ||
| Origin: | Lower Bodham/Baconsthorp | |
| Grid reference: | TG 13 39 | |
| Mouth: | behind the spit, Blakeney Point | |
| Grid reference: | TF 99 45 | |
| Length: | 17 km long (10.5 miles) | |
| fall: | 50 meters from source to tidal limit | |
| Catchment Area: | 115 square meters | |
| Tributaries: | 2 | |
| Water Mills: | 6 | |
The River Glaven is just 10½ miles long but its course flows through some of the most picturesque countryside in North Norfolk. Rising from a tiny headwater close to Lower Bodham and Baconsthorpe the river starts just below Selbrigg Pond where three streams combine at the outfall.
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[edit] Geography
The river has a catchment area of approximately 115 km2 and from its source falls 50 meters to the present tidal limit at Cley sluice. The Sub-surface geology is predominantly chalk and in parts of the lower valley the river runs over chalk beds. The land adjoining the river consists of a mixture of arable farm land and in the upper reaches near Edgefield, coniferous plantations. In the middle reaches there are grazing meadows and low-lying washlands especially below Glandford Mill. There are two major tributaries to the Glaven. Stody beck joins just above Hunworth Mill (Map Ref TG 066 356), and the Thornage Beck which joins close to the unbridged ford on the Thornage to Hunworth road (Map Ref TG 062 363).
[edit] Lakes and Pools
There are three ‘on-stream’ lakes associated with the main channel, these being Hawksmere (Hempstead mill pond), Edgefield Hall Lake and Bayfield Hall Lake. The long, thin lake at Bayfield Hall in many ways epitomises the beauty of the lower Glaven valley. It was dug in the late eighteenth century for ornamental purposes. In the late nineteenth century an ‘extravaganza’ tunnel was built into the valley side so that the Glaven could be partly diverted around the lake. This tunnel remains operational today. Together the mills and on-stream lakes give the river a ‘stepped’ profile with, slower flowing ‘ponded’ sections upstream of these structures. Lower down on the river At Glandford the river also pools just above the mill, a very popular spot for the public, at the ford, family’s, in the summer months can be seen enjoying the river, paddling and feeding the ducks. The scenic value of the Glaven valley is hugely important to the tourist industry on which North Norfolk is currently thriving, and as such its wider economic value is being, and will be increasingly recognised.
[edit] Watermills
At the time of the Domesday book The River Glaven had 16 watermills throughout its length. today the river Glaven has six watermills along its length. They are, in order of river decent. Hempstead, Hunworth, Thornage, Letheringsett, Letheringsett Brewery mill and Glandford. One of them, Letheringsett, is still in use and is the only working mill in Norfolk. Here they grind corn to make flour which is on sale at there shop
[edit] Wildlife in and around the Glaven
water voles are present in the Glaven, in good numbers. Otters are difficult to see, but they make good use of the river. This could be one reason why the dreaded mink are absent as otters are thought not to tolerate them. Both red deer and roe deer are regularly seen.
The bird population reflects the range of habitats available, and the total number of species present can be put at 126, of which 68 have bred (these figures do not include birds of the coastal wetlands north of the coast road (A 149) at Cley).
Birds which attract particular attention include kingfisher, barn owl, common buzzard and osprey. The latter uses the Glaven Valley as a flyway on its spring and autumn migration and it also sometimes stays to do a spot of fishing. Common buzzard breed in small but increasing numbers and can be seen wheeling overhead. Kingfisher never fail to thrill all who see them, although usually one gets no more than a fleeting glimpse of that wonderful electric blue. Barn owls are rather more co-operative. They frequently hunt during daylight hours and as they quarter back and forth they offer the chance of sustained views. As winter approaches flocks of pink footed geese and brent geese will provide another splendid sight as they fly from the coast to feeding grounds on the farms inland.
[edit] Fish
Fish you will find in the river include Three spined stickleback, Bull head ,Stone loach, Brown trout, Sea trout, Brook lamprey, Roach, Rudd, Perch, Eel, Pike, Gudgeon, Carp and Tench.
[edit] Insects & Dragonflys
Some insects and dragonfly you will see are Banded Demoiselle, Emerald Damselfly, Scarce Emerald Damselfly, Large Red Damselfly, Red-eyed Damselfly, Small Red-eyed Damselfly, Azure Damselfly , Common Blue Damselfly , Blue-tailed Damselfly , Migrant Hawker , Southern Hawker, Brown Hawker , Emperor Dragonfly , Four-spotted Chaser , Broad-bodied Chaser , Black-tailed Skimmer , Keeled Skimmer , Common Darter , Ruddy Darter , Common Hawker, Norfolk Hawker , Hairy Dragonfly, Red-veined Darter , Yellow-winged Darter , Black Darter and the Variable Damselfly
[edit] Small Mammels
Small Mammels you may come across include Hedgehog, Mole, Common Shrew, Pygmy Shrew, Water Shrew, Noctule Bat, Pipistrelle Bat, Natterer’s Bat, Daubenton’s Bat, Rabbits, Brown Hares, Grey Squirrel, Bank Vole, Short-tailed Field Vole, Water Vole, Wood Mouse, House Mouse and the Brown Rat
[edit] Lager Mammels
Red Deer, Roe Deer, Muntjac, Red Fox, Badger, Otter, Stoat, Weasel and surprisingly Feral cats
