River Lynch
Encyclopedia
The River Lynch also known as the Lynch Brook
is a minor tributary of the River Lea in Hoddesdon
, Hertfordshire
, England
.
in Old English, that were formed when cultivating the steep slopes of a river valley, much the same as the rice terraces of South East Asia. The terrace, or lynch, was designed to reduce soil erosion by slowing the rapid run-off of water and a series of these terraces gave the Lynch landscape a stepped appearance. These terraces were used extensively in the area directly above the River Lynch for the production of water cress during the 19th and early 20th centuries, using the fertile brick earth soils of the valley sides. The site of these former terraces is still clearly visible today within the Lampits housing estate, in the sloping open area below the course of the New River
, leading downhill to Conduit Lane East and the Lynch Mill Pond. The site of these former terraces is still clearly visible today within the Lampits housing estate, in the sloping open area below the course of the New River
, leading downhill to Conduit Lane East and the Lynch Mill Pond.
The terraces at the Lynch were situated above a deep funnel-shaped natural hole that carried water up from the chalk. The pond and watermill at Lynch Corner, fed by the spring, were described in medieval court rolls, along with Amwell
and Chadwell, as being ancient and known locally as 'Le Lince.'
The New River, that passes directly overhead, closely hugging the 100 foot contour of the Lea Valley
and its tributaries, destroyed much of the original landscape of the area, notably Lynch Hill and the Lynch Gap.
and then later for gravel extraction. The spring by the Lynch also supplies the Admiral's Walk Lake in the Lee Valley Park
with clear water. Some of the original stretches of the River Lynch now lie abandoned, cut off from the main river as lakes and wetlands on the floodplain
of the River Lea.
Beginning in the rear of the properties by Conduit Lane (East), Hoddesdon
, the Lynch is joined by the flow of the Woollens Brook
after Bridgeways, the site of the former Lynch Mill, and then flows in an eastern direction under the Lea Valley Lines
towards the former Lee Valley Caravan Park at Dobbs Weir
. The Lynch then continues its journey in a southerly direction along a straightened channel, forming the prior western boundary of the caravan park, before joining the former original loop of the River Lea, that in turn becomes Broxbourne Mill Stream
, by Dobbs Weir Lock
.
Lynch Brook
Lynch Brook also known as the River Lynch is a tributary of the River Lea in Hertfordshire, England. Beginning at Lynch Mill Pond, by Conduit Lane , Hoddesdon, the stream is joined by Woollens Brook and passes under the Lea Valley Lines...
is a minor tributary of the River Lea in Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon is a town in the English county of Hertfordshire, situated in the Lea Valley. The town grew up as a coaching stop on the route between Cambridge and London. It is located southeast of Hertford, north of Waltham Cross and southwest of Bishop's Stortford. At its height during the 18th...
, 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...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
Historically, the River Lynch was named after the flat terraces, known as a lynchTerrace (agriculture)
Terraces are used in farming to cultivate sloped land. Graduated terrace steps are commonly used to farm on hilly or mountainous terrain. Terraced fields decrease erosion and surface runoff, and are effective for growing crops requiring much water, such as rice...
in Old English, that were formed when cultivating the steep slopes of a river valley, much the same as the rice terraces of South East Asia. The terrace, or lynch, was designed to reduce soil erosion by slowing the rapid run-off of water and a series of these terraces gave the Lynch landscape a stepped appearance. These terraces were used extensively in the area directly above the River Lynch for the production of water cress during the 19th and early 20th centuries, using the fertile brick earth soils of the valley sides. The site of these former terraces is still clearly visible today within the Lampits housing estate, in the sloping open area below the course of the New River
New River
- Waterways :In the United States* New River , a tributary of the Trinity River in northern California* New River , a channel which drains the Everglades through Fort Lauderdale in southern Florida...
, leading downhill to Conduit Lane East and the Lynch Mill Pond. The site of these former terraces is still clearly visible today within the Lampits housing estate, in the sloping open area below the course of the New River
New River
- Waterways :In the United States* New River , a tributary of the Trinity River in northern California* New River , a channel which drains the Everglades through Fort Lauderdale in southern Florida...
, leading downhill to Conduit Lane East and the Lynch Mill Pond.
The terraces at the Lynch were situated above a deep funnel-shaped natural hole that carried water up from the chalk. The pond and watermill at Lynch Corner, fed by the spring, were described in medieval court rolls, along with Amwell
Amwell
Amwell can refer to:* Amwell, Hertfordshire in England* Amwell Township, New Jersey in the USA, since subdivided into:**East Amwell Township, New Jersey**West Amwell Township, New Jersey* Amwell Township, Pennsylvania in the USA...
and Chadwell, as being ancient and known locally as 'Le Lince.'
The New River, that passes directly overhead, closely hugging the 100 foot contour of the Lea Valley
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...
and its tributaries, destroyed much of the original landscape of the area, notably Lynch Hill and the Lynch Gap.
Course
The course of the River Lynch has been altered extensively over the centuries for use in agricultureAgriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and then later for gravel extraction. The spring by the Lynch also supplies the Admiral's Walk Lake in the Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Park
Lee Valley Regional Park is a long linear park, much of it green spaces, running through the northeast of London, Essex and Hertfordshire from the River Thames to Ware in Hertfordshire, England through areas such as Hackney, Tottenham, Enfield, Stratford, Tower Hamlets, Walthamstow, Cheshunt,...
with clear water. Some of the original stretches of the River Lynch now lie abandoned, cut off from the main river as lakes and wetlands on the floodplain
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
of the River Lea.
Beginning in the rear of the properties by Conduit Lane (East), Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon is a town in the English county of Hertfordshire, situated in the Lea Valley. The town grew up as a coaching stop on the route between Cambridge and London. It is located southeast of Hertford, north of Waltham Cross and southwest of Bishop's Stortford. At its height during the 18th...
, the Lynch is joined by the flow of the Woollens Brook
Woollens Brook
Woollens Brook, a minor tributary of the River Lea, rises close to Ermine Street, south of Hertford Heath and flows through Box Wood in Hertfordshire. The stream flows under both the A10 and the Dinant Link Road roundabout with Amwell Street...
after Bridgeways, the site of the former Lynch Mill, and then flows in an eastern direction under the Lea Valley Lines
Lea Valley Lines
The Lea Valley Lines are three commuter lines and two branches in North East London, so named because they run along the valley of the River Lea...
towards the former Lee Valley Caravan Park at Dobbs Weir
Dobbs Weir
Dobbs Weir is a both a weir near and an area of Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire in England on the River Lea. It is well known for angling, outdoor beauty and watersports. It is overlooked by the Fish and Eels pub.-Angling:...
. The Lynch then continues its journey in a southerly direction along a straightened channel, forming the prior western boundary of the caravan park, before joining the former original loop of the River Lea, that in turn becomes Broxbourne Mill Stream
Broxbourne Mill Stream
The Broxbourne Mill Stream which diverges from the River Lee Navigation just south of Dobb's Weir, is one of the few remaining 'old river' loops of the River Lea, with a relatively natural channel form and a diverse range of habitats. Broxbourne developed as a small settlement for milling at a...
, by Dobbs Weir Lock
Dobbs Weir Lock
Dobbs Weir Lock is a lock on the River Lee Navigation near Hoddesdon.- Location :The lock is south of the nearby Dobbs Weir, and stands close to the confluence of the Lynch Brook and the Old River Lea...
.