Gatwick Stream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gatwick Stream |
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Tinsley Bridge over the Gatwick Stream
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| Country | England |
| Counties | West Sussex |
| Districts / Boroughs | Horsham, Crawley |
| Towns | Crawley |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Worthlodge Forest, Mid Sussex, West Sussex 115 m (377 ft) |
| River mouth | River Mole |
The Gatwick Stream is a small river in southern England. It is a branch, also known as a "tributary," of a larger river called the River Mole. The Gatwick Stream begins in Worth Forest in West Sussex.
It flows north through beautiful areas like Tilgate Forest and past the Tilgate golf course. The stream then continues through towns and villages such as Maidenbower, Three Bridges, and Tinsley Green. Finally, it meets the River Mole right on the border between West Sussex and Surrey.
Animals in the Gatwick Stream
The Gatwick Stream is home to many different kinds of fish! These fish are native, meaning they naturally live in this area.
You might find fish like:
- Chub
- Dace
- Roach
- Gudgeon
- Perch
- Barbel
- Pike
- Millers thumb (also called bullhead)
- Brook lamprey
- Stone loach
- Minnow
- Brown trout
Protecting Against Floods
The "Upper Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme" is a big project designed to protect homes and important places from flooding. Flooding happens when rivers overflow their banks, which can cause a lot of damage. This scheme helps control the water levels in the Gatwick Stream and the wider River Mole area.
Here are some of the key parts of this important project:
- Making Clays Lake Dam Taller: The dam at Clays Lake was made higher. This creates a larger space to store extra water during heavy rain. This helps protect the London-Brighton main railway line and homes in Maidenbower and Crawley from floods.
- Building a New Flood Dam: A new dam, called a flood detention dam (FDR), was built at Worth Farm. This dam adds even more protection against floods, especially for the M23 motorway.
- Restoring Grattons Park: At Grattons Park nature reserve, the river was changed. Before, it flowed in a straight concrete channel. Now, it has been restored to a more natural, winding path made of earth. This helps the river flow better and creates a healthier home for wildlife.
- Raising Tilgate Lake Dam: The dam at Tilgate Lake was also made taller. This allows the lake to hold more water, which protects hundreds of homes in areas like Furnace Green, Pound Hill, Three Bridges, Tinsley Green, and Horley from potential flooding.
Cleaning the Water
Near the stream, there is a facility called Crawley Sewage Treatment Works. This facility plays an important role in keeping the river clean. It treats and cleans water from the surrounding area. After the water is cleaned, up to 15 million litres of treated water are safely returned to the Gatwick Stream each day. This process helps to maintain the health of the river and its wildlife.
