Hogsmill River
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The Hogsmill River is one of the tributaries of the River Thames, 6 miles (9.9km) in length: it has a catchment area (water basin) of 73 km². Its source is a chalk spring at or near grid reference TQ219627 in the spring line village of Ewell, in Surrey to flow in a northerly direction through Old Malden and New Malden to its confluence on the reach above Teddington Lock close to the centre of Kingston upon Thames at grid reference TQ177691.
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[edit] Tributaries
Its principal tributary is the Bonesgate Stream, 3 miles (5km) in length, which rises south of Chessington to join the Hogsmill at Tolworth Court Bridge. Its other tributaries are:
- Surbiton Stream, 3.75 miles (6km)
- Horton Stream, 3.3 miles (5.3km)
- Greens Lane Stream, 1 mile (1.8km)
- Ewell Court Stream, 1.7 mile (2.7km)
- Hogsmill Stream, 0.3 mile (0.5km)
The main river flows through much low-lying land, the majority of which is given over to sports grounds, until the final section through the built-up area of Kingston. Epsom and Ewell borough council maintain the Hogsmill Open Space which follows the river until the boundary with Kingston.
[edit] Art
The Hogsmill has appeared in the art of Millais in his rendition of Ophelia [2] and of Holman Hunt[1]
[edit] Industry
The Hogsmill is known for gunpowder mills, reputed to have produced gunpowder for the Napoleonic Wars[citation needed]. Additionally the waters were used to generate electricity for Ewell Court House[2]
[edit] Local Legend
William the Conqueror is said to have "watered his horse" in the source waters near today's Spring Hotel. Custom states this to be the pool at grid reference TQ218628[citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Ewell for etymology of "Ewell"
- watermill
- Watermills in the United Kingdom
