River Ems (Chichester Harbour) facts for kids

The River Ems near Westbourne

The River Ems is a small but interesting river located in the very west of West Sussex, England. It's about 6 miles (10 km) long. For its last 1.5 miles (2.4 km), it forms the border between West Sussex and Hampshire before it flows into the large, beautiful Chichester Harbour.

Where Does the River Ems Begin?

The journey of the River Ems starts in a village called Stoughton. From there, it flows southwest through an area known as Walderton. In this part, the Ems is often a "winterbourne." This means it's a stream that mostly flows during the wetter, colder months of winter and spring, and might dry up in the summer if there hasn't been much rain.

What Does the Ems Flow Past?

As the River Ems makes its way to the sea, it passes by several interesting places:

• Lordington House: It flows near a hamlet that includes the very well-preserved Lordington House, a historic building.
• Racton Monument: The river also goes by the Racton Monument, a tall, mysterious tower. Close by is the church for the Lordington area, located in Racton hamlet.
• Ractonpark Dell: You'll find a small wooded area called Ractonpark Dell along its path.
• Westbourne Village: The Ems then reaches the village of Westbourne. Here, it gets more water from another brook that flows into it from the north, making it a year-round river from this point.

The Ems Reaches the Sea

After Westbourne, the River Ems continues its journey. It flows under the railway line near the town of Emsworth. At this point, the river becomes tidal, meaning its water level goes up and down with the ocean's tides.

The Ems helps to drain areas like Brook Meadow and fills Peter and Slipper Mill Ponds. Finally, it flows into Chichester Harbour. When the tide is low, the river helps to form the head of the Emsworth Channel within the harbour. The last few meters of the river allow boats to access Emsworth Marina, which used to be another tidal mill pond.

Controlling the River's Flow

The River Ems is described as "much-sluiced." This means there are many sluices along its course. Sluices are like gates or barriers that can be opened or closed to control the flow of water. They help manage the river's level, prevent flooding, and ensure there's enough water for different uses, especially in a river that can sometimes be a winterbourne.