River Hiz
Encyclopedia
The River Hiz is a small tributary river that feeds the River Ivel
that, in turn, feeds the River Great Ouse
. Starting at its source of a chalk fed spring just south of the village of Charlton
, the river winds its way through the county of Hertfordshire
, moving its way into and through Hitchin
, where it meets the River Oughton and River Purwell. The Hiz finally meets the River Ivel
near the village of Henlow
.
The Hiz is properly pronounced "Hitch" as it takes its name from the Hicca tribe who inhabited the area and gave their name to Hitchin. This fact seems to be little known and it is now normally said as it is spelled.
The Hiz is a focal point in the town of Hitchin, with a market that takes place historically by its banks. The Hiz also runs past a major (but now defunct) brickworks at Arlesey
.
Although small, the Hiz attracts a great deal of wildlife. There are many birds around this area, which include swan
s, duck
s, coot
and kingfisher
s. Fish inhabits the river (trout
mainly) and there is also evidence for otter
s.
River Ivel
The River Ivel is a river in the east of England. It is a tributary of the River Great Ouse.-Course of the Ivel:The river Ivel rises just north of Baldock in Hertfordshire, but most of its course lies within Bedfordshire. It flows through Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and...
that, in turn, feeds the River Great Ouse
River Great Ouse
The Great Ouse is a river in the east of England. At long, it is the fourth-longest river in the United Kingdom. The river has been important for navigation, and for draining the low-lying region through which it flows. Its course has been modified several times, with the first recorded being in...
. Starting at its source of a chalk fed spring just south of the village of Charlton
Charlton, Hertfordshire
Charlton is a village in Hertfordshire, England, which has steadily been approached by the neighbouring town of Hitchin. Despite Hitchin's growth, Charlton has retained its own identity...
, the river winds its way through the county of Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, moving its way into and through Hitchin
Hitchin
Hitchin is a town in Hertfordshire, England, with an estimated population of 30,360.-History:Hitchin is first noted as the central place of the Hicce people mentioned in a 7th century document, the Tribal Hidage. The tribal name is Brittonic rather than Old English and derives from *siccā, meaning...
, where it meets the River Oughton and River Purwell. The Hiz finally meets the River Ivel
River Ivel
The River Ivel is a river in the east of England. It is a tributary of the River Great Ouse.-Course of the Ivel:The river Ivel rises just north of Baldock in Hertfordshire, but most of its course lies within Bedfordshire. It flows through Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and...
near the village of Henlow
Henlow
Henlow is a village and civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire, England.RAF Henlow, is located nearby, but is in fact nearer to the village of Stondon...
.
The Hiz is properly pronounced "Hitch" as it takes its name from the Hicca tribe who inhabited the area and gave their name to Hitchin. This fact seems to be little known and it is now normally said as it is spelled.
The Hiz is a focal point in the town of Hitchin, with a market that takes place historically by its banks. The Hiz also runs past a major (but now defunct) brickworks at Arlesey
Arlesey
Arlesey is a small industrial town and civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire. It is located on the border with Hertfordshire, about three miles north-west of Letchworth Garden City, four miles north of Hitchin and six miles south of Biggleswade. Arlesey railway...
.
Although small, the Hiz attracts a great deal of wildlife. There are many birds around this area, which include swan
Swan
Swans, genus Cygnus, are birds of the family Anatidae, which also includes geese and ducks. Swans are grouped with the closely related geese in the subfamily Anserinae where they form the tribe Cygnini. Sometimes, they are considered a distinct subfamily, Cygninae...
s, duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s, coot
Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water...
and kingfisher
Kingfisher
Kingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s. Fish inhabits the river (trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
mainly) and there is also evidence for otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
s.