Subterranean rivers of London explained

The subterranean or underground rivers of London are or were the direct or indirect tributaries of the upper estuary of the Thames (the Tideway) that were built over during the growth of the metropolis of London. They now flow through culverts,^[1] with some of them integral parts of London's sewerage system and diverted accordingly.^[2]

North of the Thames

From west to east - sub-tributaries are shown indented

• River Brent (partially underground)
• Stamford Brook
• Parrs Ditch
• Counter's Creek
• River Westbourne
  • Tyburn Brook
• River Tyburn
• River Fleet, (following Farringdon Street, New Bridge Street and other roads).
  • Lamb's Conduit
  • Fagswell Brook (Follows the course of Charterhouse Street)
• River Walbrook
• Lorteburn^[3] or Langbourne (now dry)
• Black Ditch
• Muswell Stream^[4] (sub-sub-tributary via Pymmes Brook and the River Lea)
• River Moselle^[4] (subtributary via the Lea)
• Hackney Brook (subtributary via the Lea)
• River Rom (partially underground)

South of the Thames

From west to east - sub-tributaries are shown indented

• Sudbrook (partially underground)
• Beverley Brook (partially underground)
• Graveney (sub tributary of River Wandle)
  • Norbury Brook
• Falconbrook
• River Effra
• River Neckinger
• Earl's Sluice
  • River Peck
• River Quaggy (partially underground) (sub tributary of River Ravensbourne)
• Heathwall Ditch^[5]

Development

In June 2008, the office of Mayor of London published outline plans to reinstate some underground rivers.^[6] In January 2009, a partnership among the Environment Agency, Natural England, The River Restoration Centre, and the Greater London Authority set out a strategy for putting this into effect by creating the London Rivers Action Plan.^{[7] [8]}

See also

• Blue Ribbon Network—the major waterways of London
• List of rivers of England
• Subterranean London
• Subterranean river
• Tributaries of the River Thames

Further reading

• News: 4 October 2015. Dangerfield, Andy. The lost rivers that lie beneath London. BBC News. London, UK.
• News: The Underground City: Beneath the streets of London's capital city is a world of tunnels, rivers and hidden history . Heritage Magazine . April–May 2000 . 2002-12-10 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20021210040357/http://www.heritagemagazine.co.uk/underground.html . 2002-12-10 .

External links

• Web site: Deep Topographical site with special emphasis on London's lost watercourses. Middlexex County Council. Middlesex County, UK.
• Web site: London's Lost Rivers: Wayback Machine Snapshot . Mackie, Gordon . January 2004 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20040107230402/http://www.wildtrout.org/WTT/library/features/lostLondon.asp . 2004-01-07 .
• Web site: Map of London's Underground Rivers. OpenGuides.org. London, UK.
• Web site: SilentUK.com. Photographs from inside London's 'Lost' Rivers.
• Web site: Strange Maps. London's Lost Rivers.

Notes and References

1. Nicholas Barton, The Lost Rivers of London, Historical Publications,
2. Book: Humphreys . Sir George W. . Main Drainage of London . November 1930 . London County Council . London . 5 . 2 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190502202624/http://www.sewerhistory.org/articles/whregion/1930_abm1/article.pdf . 2 May 2019 . usurped.
3. Bentley . David . 1984 . A recently identified valley in the City . London Archaeologist . 05. 1 . 13–16 . 2022-12-27.
4. https://books.google.com/books?id=PNe5ZBe53HYC&dq=%22Muswell+Stream%22+london&pg=PA148 London's Lost Rivers
5. Web site: The Lost River Of London You've Never Heard Of: The Heathwall. Londonist.
6. News: Boris Johnson to revive London's lost rivers. Times Online. London, UK. 5 September 2008 . September 5, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080905000647/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article4138268.ece.
7. Web site: Environment Agency plans for river restoration . Environment-agency.gov.uk . 2010-03-02 . UK . 2010-07-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090626222801/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/100997.aspx?month=1&year=2009&coverage=National&sector=Agriculture%2CClimatechange%2CConstruction%2CConsultations%2CDrought%2CEnergy%2CFishingandaquaculture%2CFlood%2CPollution%2CRegulation%2CReports%2CWaste%2CWater%2CWildlifeandconservation&persona=Business%2CEvent%2CHome%2CProsecution%2CScience . 26 June 2009 . dmy-all .
8. Web site: London Rivers Action Plan. The River Restoration Centre. UK. 2010-07-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090815172653/http://www.therrc.co.uk/lrap.php. 15 August 2009. dmy-all.