River Ouzel facts for kids
The River Ouzel, also known as the River Lovat, is a river in England. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river, making it a tributary of the River Great Ouse. The Ouzel starts in the Chiltern Hills and travels about 20 miles north. It eventually joins the Great Ouse near a town called Newport Pagnell.
Most people call it the River Ouzel. However, closer to Newport Pagnell, you might hear both names used. The name Lovat has been around for a long time, even appearing on old maps. Today, official maps mostly use Ouzel, but sometimes you'll see "River Ouzel or Lovat" especially north of Willen Lake.
Where Does the River Ouzel Flow?
The River Ouzel begins its journey from natural springs just north of Dagnall. At first, it forms the border between two counties: Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Joining Other Streams
As the Ouzel flows, it gets bigger by joining with other smaller streams.
- The Ouzel Brook from Houghton Regis adds its water.
- Whistle Brook, also known as Whizzle Brook near Ivinghoe, also flows into the Ouzel.
Near Grove Lock, just south of Leighton Buzzard, another stream called Ledburn Brook used to join the Ouzel. But now, its water is sent into the Grand Union Canal instead.
Through Towns and Lakes
When the Ouzel reaches Leighton Buzzard, it meets Clipstone Brook. This brook comes from Milton Bryan, passing through Hockliffe and Clipstone. North of Leighton Buzzard, extra water from the canal is released into the river at a place called the Twelve Arches.
The river then flows through Milton Keynes. Here, the Ouzel helps manage flood risks with two large balancing lakes. These lakes, Caldecotte Lake and Willen Lake, store extra water during heavy rains. This helps protect homes and communities both nearby and further downstream on the Great Ouse.
After passing under the M1, the Ouzel is joined by Crawley Brook from Husborne Crawley. Finally, the river makes its way through Newport Pagnell before proudly joining the much larger River Great Ouse.
