River Lee Diversion
Encyclopedia
The River Lee Diversion is located in the Lea Valley
, close to Enfield Lock
and to the north east corner of the King George V Reservoir
.
and the Banbury Reservoir
.
. The man-made, steep, concrete-banked water flows under Lea Valley Road (A110 road), before forming a boundary with the William Girling Reservoir
. It flows under the North Circular Road
at the Lea Valley Viaduct before skirting the western perimeter of the Banbury Reservoir, then flows close and parallel to the River Lee Navigation
, passing to the west of the Lockwood Reservoir
. It continues past Stonebridge Lock
and Tottenham Lock
, then merges with the River Lee Navigation
below Ferry Lane (A503 road).
.
. Also, of note is the fish–eating bird the goosander which feeds in the river.
Lea Valley
The Lea Valley, the valley of the River Lea, has been used as a transport corridor, a source of sand and gravel, an industrial area, a water supply for London, and a recreational area...
, close to Enfield Lock
Enfield Lock
Enfield Lock is an area in the London Borough of Enfield, North London. It is approximately located east of the Hertford Road between Turkey Street and the Holmesdale Tunnel overpass, to the River Lee Navigation, including the Enfield Island Village. The locality gains its name from the lock on the...
and to the north east corner of the King George V Reservoir
King George V Reservoir
The King George V Reservoir, also known as King George's Reservoir, is located in the London Borough of Enfield and is part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain that supplies London with drinking water...
.
History
As its name implies, the River Lea was diverted to accommodate the construction of the Chingford ReservoirsChingford Reservoirs
The Chingford Reservoirs is the collective name for the King George V Reservoir and the William Girling Reservoir, which form part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. They were constructed by John Mowlem & Co.They are a Site of Special Scientific Interest....
and the Banbury Reservoir
Banbury Reservoir
Banbury Reservoir is located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest at Walthamstow. It is one of the storage reservoirs in the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. The reservoir is owned by Thames Water.- History:...
.
Course
Before skirting the eastern boundary of the King George V Reservoir, the river is joined by the River Lee Flood Relief ChannelRiver Lee Flood Relief Channel
The River Lee Flood Relief Channel is located in the Lea Valley and flows between Ware, Hertfordshire and Stratford, east London. Work started on the channel in 1947 following major flooding and was fully operational by 1976...
. The man-made, steep, concrete-banked water flows under Lea Valley Road (A110 road), before forming a boundary with the William Girling Reservoir
William Girling Reservoir
The William Girling Reservoir is located in the London Borough of Enfield and is part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain that supplies London with drinking water. It is named after William Girling OBE, a chairman of the Metropolitan Water Board . The reservoir and the nearby King George V Reservoir...
. It flows under the North Circular Road
A406 road
The A406 or the North Circular Road is a road which crosses North London, UK, linking West and East London. It, together with the South Circular Road, forms a ring road through the inner part of Outer London...
at the Lea Valley Viaduct before skirting the western perimeter of the Banbury Reservoir, then flows close and parallel to the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
, passing to the west of the Lockwood Reservoir
Lockwood Reservoir
Lockwood Reservoir is located in Walthamstow in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is one of the ten Walthamstow Reservoirs, which are part of the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain...
. It continues past Stonebridge Lock
Stonebridge Lock
Stonebridge Lock is a paired lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Haringey, England and is located near Tottenham, London. Like other locks as far as Ponder's End Lock it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
and Tottenham Lock
Tottenham Lock
Tottenham Lock is a paired lock on the River Lee Navigation in the London Borough of Haringey, England and is located near Tottenham, London. Like other locks as far as Ponders End it is large enough to take barges of up to 130 tons...
, then merges with the River Lee Navigation
River Lee Navigation
The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea . Its course runs from Hertford Castle Weir all the way to the River Thames at Bow Creek. The first lock of the navigation is Hertford Lock the last being Bow Locks....
below Ferry Lane (A503 road).
Water supply
The river feeds water to some of the reservoirs in the Lee Valley Reservoir ChainLee Valley Reservoir Chain
The Lee Valley Reservoir Chain is located in the Lee Valley, and comprises 13 reservoirs that supply drinking water to London.- Reservoirs :The following waters are located in the London Borough of Enfield and are known collectively as the Chingford Reservoirs, which are a Site of Special...
.
Ecology
The clean, well oxygenated, concrete–lined, fast flowing water provides the ideal environment for the barbelBarbus barbus
Barbus barbus is a species of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family of minnows and carps. It shares the common name "barbel" with its many relatives in the genus Barbus and is properly known as the Common Barbel.B...
. Also, of note is the fish–eating bird the goosander which feeds in the river.