River Hertford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hertford |
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River Hertford, looking west
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Map of the Catchment Area of the River Derwent
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| Country | England |
| Region | Yorkshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Muston, North Yorkshire, England |
| River mouth | Haybridge River Derwent, North Yorkshire, England |
| Length | 16 km (9.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 45.22 km2 (17.46 sq mi) |
The River Hertford is a river located in Yorkshire, in the north of England. It is part of the larger River Derwent water system.
The River Hertford begins near Muston, a village close to the seaside town of Filey. Even though it is only about 1.2 miles (2 km) from the North Sea, the river flows west. It travels for about 9.9 miles (16 km) before joining the River Derwent at Haybridge, near Wykeham. Because it flows away from the sea, it is sometimes called a 'backward-flowing river'.
Contents
The River Hertford's Journey
The River Hertford starts its journey in North Yorkshire. It flows through a flat area known as the River Hertford Floodplain. This area stretches from Muston in the east to Ganton in the west.
How the River Changed Over Time
Long ago, the River Hertford used to curve and bend naturally. This is called 'meandering'. However, in 1800, a law called the Muston & Yedingham Drainage Act was passed. This law led to big changes for both the River Hertford and the River Derwent.
Workers straightened the rivers by digging new, direct paths for them. The Hertford's new channel was dug by hand during the time of the Industrial Revolution. Some local stories say that prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars helped dig the new river path.
Ancient History Near the River
Close to the River Hertford is an important archaeological site called Star Carr. This site dates back to the Mesolithic period, also known as the Middle Stone Age.
About nine thousand years ago, Star Carr was located on the edge of a large wetland. This ancient wetland was known as 'Lake Flixton' and was near the village of Flixton.
Protecting the River's Health
The River Hertford's water quality is affected by water released from three sewage treatment plants. These plants are located at Folkton, Hunmanby, and Seamer. This treated water can impact the cleanliness of the River Hertford. It also affects the River Derwent further downstream from Haybridge. Keeping rivers clean is important for all the plants and animals that live in and around them.
