River Lee (England)
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| Lee/Lea | |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Length | 68 km (42 mi) |
| Discharge elsewhere | |
| - Luton (Luton Hoo) | 1.8 m³/s (64 ft³/s) |
| - Feildes Weir (Nr. Hoddesdon) |
14 m³/s (494 ft³/s) |
| Source | |
| - location | Leagrave, Luton |
| - elevation | 115 m (377 ft) |
| Mouth | |
| - location | River Thames |
 River Lea at Hertford Basin
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- This article is about the River Lee in England; for the one in the Republic of Ireland see River Lee (Ireland).
The River Lee or River Lea[1] in England originates in Leagrave Park, Leagrave, Luton in the Chiltern Hills and flows generally east and then south to London where it meets the River Thames, the last section being known as Bow Creek.
The spelling Lea is predominant west (upstream) of Hertford, but both spellings are used from Hertford to the River Thames; the Lee Navigation was established by Acts of Parliament and should be so spelt.
The source is usually said to be at Well Head inside Waulud's Bank at Leagrave Common, but there the River Lea is also fed by a stream that starts 2 miles further west in Houghton Regis. The river flows through (or by) Luton, Harpenden, Welwyn Garden City, Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Cheshunt, Waltham Abbey, Essex, Ponders End, Edmonton, Tottenham, Upper Clapton, Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bromley-by-Bow, Canning Town and finally Leamouth where it meets the River Thames (as Bow Creek). It forms the traditional boundary between the counties of Middlesex and Essex, and was used for part of the Danelaw boundary.
For much of its distance the river runs within or as a boundary to the Lee Valley Park. Between Tottenham and Hackney the Lee feeds Tottenham Marshes, Walthamstow Marshes and Hackney Marshes (the latter now drained). In its early days, Tottenham Hotspur played their matches as football amateurs on the Marshes. South of Hackney Wick the river's course is split, running almost completely in man made channels (the Bow Back Rivers) flowing through an area that was once a thriving industrial zone.
Inside Greater London, the Lee passes a series of reservoirs: King George V Reservoir at Ponders End/Chingford,William Girling Reservoir at Edmonton and the Banbury Reservoir at Tottenham. At Tottenham Hale there is a connected set of reservoirs; Lockwood Reservoir, High Maynard Reservoir, Low Maynard Reservoir, Walthamstow Reservoirs and Warwick Reservoirs. It also passes the Three Mills.
Once an important commercial waterway, certain sections were canalised as part of the River Lee Navigation. Another artificial channel, the New River was constructed to take clean water to London from the Lee and its catchment areas and bypass the polluting industries that had developed in its downstream reaches.
In 1571, there were riots after the extension of the River was promoted in a private bill presented to the House of Commons.
Contents |
[edit] See also
[edit] Tributaries
- Hackney Brook (Lost river)
- River Ash
- River Beane
- River Ching
- River Mimram
- River Moselle (London)
- River Rib
- River Stort
[edit] External links
[edit] Notes
- ^ Historically, the river has been called the "Lea", "Lee" or "Ley". The "Ley" spelling is seen in mediaeval documents but subsequently passed from common usage. Currently, "Lea" and "Lee" are the generally accepted spellings, with "Lea" used in reference to the original natural river and "Lee" referring to the canalised parts, such as the Lee Navigation.
