River Ivel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids River Ivel
Physical characteristics
Main source	Ivel Springs, north of baldock 56m
River mouth	River Great Ouse,Tempsford

The river at Biggleswade

The River Ivel is a beautiful river in south-eastern England. It flows mostly north through Bedfordshire. This river is special because it's a chalk stream. It eventually joins a bigger river called the River Great Ouse near a place called Tempsford.

Exploring the River Ivel

Where the River Ivel Flows

The River Ivel starts at a place called Ivel Springs. This is just north of Baldock in Hertfordshire. It then flows north into Bedfordshire. The river travels through many towns and villages. These include Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy, and Blunham. Finally, it meets the River Great Ouse near Tempsford. The River Ivel is about 26 kilometers (16 miles) long.

Measuring the River's Health

Special places called gauging stations help us understand the River Ivel. There are two main ones, at Biggleswade and Blunham. These stations measure things like how much water flows (called discharge). They also check the river's depth. This helps us watch for floods and dry periods.

The table shows how deep the river usually is. River levels change with the seasons. They are often higher in winter and lower in summer. Very high levels happen after heavy rain. Even though the river is usually shallow, it can rise fast. This is especially true further downstream at Blunham. The Environment Agency watches these stations. This data helps them warn about floods. It also helps manage water and protect nature. Water levels are usually highest from December to February. They are lowest from July to September.

Protecting the River Ivel

Many groups work to protect the River Ivel. One important group is called RevIvel. This is a local volunteer group. They work to bring back healthy water flow to the river's upper parts. RevIvel checks the river's wildlife and water levels. They also teach people about problems like water being taken from underground. They also raise awareness about pollution. The group talks with water companies and government agencies. RevIvel is part of the Chalk Aquifer Alliance. This alliance helps protect all chalk streams in southern England.

Wildlife of the River Ivel

The River Ivel and its nearby wetlands are home to many plants and animals. These creatures are special because they can live in clear chalk streams. You can find many of them, especially near Ivel Springs.

Native Animals and Plants

Some native animals live in and around the River Ivel. These include the Water vole. You might also spot a colorful Kingfisher bird.

Dealing with Invasive Species

Sometimes, plants and animals that are not from this area arrive. These are called non-native or invasive species. One example is the American mink. This animal hunts native mammals and can cause problems. Another is Himalayan balsam. This plant grows quickly along the riverbanks. It can take over, pushing out the native plants. This changes the natural habitat.

The River's Name: Ivel

The name "Ivel" is very old. It first appeared in old documents from the Middle Ages. People think it comes from an ancient Celtic or Old English word. This word likely meant "river" or "waterway." It probably describes how the river has many smaller streams joining it. The name shows how important the river has been for a long time.

Smaller Rivers Joining the Ivel

Many smaller rivers and streams flow into the River Ivel. These are called tributaries.

• The River Hiz joins the Ivel near Henlow.
• The Flit meets the Ivel near Langford. Sometimes, maps even call the lower part of the Flit by the name Ivel.
• Pix brook flows into the River Ivel close to Arlesey.
• The River Oughton first joins the River Hiz. Then, the Hiz flows into the River Ivel.

Mills: A Look into the Past

Stotfold Mill along the Ivel.

The River Ivel has a long and interesting history. Long ago, many watermills stood along its banks. These mills were very important for farming and making things. They were used from the Middle Ages onwards. Old records show that at least thirteen mills were working. You could find them in places like Baldock, Stotfold, and Sandy.

Today, most of these old mill buildings are gone. Some were taken down, and others were changed for new uses. But you can still find clues about them. Things like old mill channels, small dams (weirs), and foundations remain. These help us imagine the river's busy past.

Staying Safe from Floods

Sometimes, the River Ivel flows very slowly. This happens from where the River Flit joins it, all the way to Blunham lakes. Because of this, the land next to the river can be at risk of flooding. This includes parts of Sandy. These areas are called a Flood Warning Area. The Environment Agency creates maps of these areas. They use computers to predict flood risks. They also consider new ways to prevent floods.

Walking the Kingfisher Way

You can explore the River Ivel on a special path called the Kingfisher Way. This nature trail is about 21 miles (34 kilometers) long. It mostly follows the river valley. The path starts at Ivel Springs in Baldock. It goes all the way to where the Ivel meets the River Great Ouse at Tempsford.

The Ivel Navigation: A Canal Story

River Ivel Navigation Act 1757
Act of Parliament
Parliament of Great Britain
Long title	An Act for making the River Ivel and the Branches there of navigable, from the River Great Ouse at Tempsford in the County of Bedford, to Shotling Mill otherwise called Burnt Mill in the Parish of Hitchin in the County of Hertford, and to Black Horse Mill, in the Parish of Bygrave in the said County of Hertford, and to the South and North Bridges in the Town of Shefford in the said County of Bedford.
Citation	30 Geo. 2. c. 62
Territorial extent	Great Britain
Dates
Royal assent	17 May 1757
Commencement	2 December 1756
Other legislation
Relates to	Ivel Navigation (Abandonment) Act 1876
Status: Current legislation
Text of statute as originally enacted

In 1756, people first planned to make the River Ivel into a canal. This would allow boats to travel on it. Locks were built in 1758 in places like Tempsford and Sandy. At first, the project faced some money problems. But trade grew quickly, and the debts were paid off by 1780. The canal was later made longer, reaching Shefford in 1823. More locks were added at places like Biggleswade.

Ivel Navigation (Abandonment) Act 1876
Act of Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to provide for the closing of the Ivel Navigation; the extinction of the Commission; and for other purposes.
Citation	39 & 40 Vict. c. cxiv
Territorial extent	United Kingdom
Dates
Royal assent	13 July 1876
Other legislation
Relates to	River Ivel Navigation Act 1757

However, the canal was closed in 1876. A dam was built across it at Sandy. This was made official by a special law passed that same year. The river was no longer used for large boats. Railways became more popular in the 1800s. Trains were faster and could carry more goods. This made them a better way to transport things.

Old Buildings and River History

You can still see parts of the old wharf (a loading area for boats) at Shefford. It is next to a bridge over the River Flit. There is also a path next to the river. This path used to follow the old canal. The canal was filled in after World War II because it was seen as unsafe. The river now flows where the millstream for Shefford Mill once was. You can still see parts of the old mill tower.

Near the village of Stanford, a wooden footbridge crosses the river. This is where Stanford Lock used to be. It is one of the best-preserved parts of the old canal. At Radwell, Hertfordshire, there is an old manor house and mill. These buildings are very old, dating back to the time of Edward the Confessor. The mill was even mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086.

Boating on the Ivel

Today, the River Ivel is not wide enough for big boats. It is also too narrow in many places for single rowing boats. But you can still go canoeing or punting on some parts. You can travel about 11 kilometers (7 miles) from Biggleswade up to where it joins the River Ouse at Tempsford.

Fishing in the River Ivel

Many people enjoy fishing in the River Ivel. The rights to fish here belong to different groups. Sometimes, the landowners next to the river own the fishing rights. Other times, local fishing clubs or groups of anglers own them.

The Ivel is known for having healthy and large fish. You can find fish like barbel, perch, chub, roach, carp, pike, and bream. Some of these fish can be quite big!