River Quin facts for kids
The River Quin is a small river in Hertfordshire, England. It starts near Barkway in the northeast part of the county. This river gets its water from many places. These include natural springs and small streams from fields. The Quin flows south and joins another river called the River Rib. This meeting point is near a place called Gatesbury. Long ago, a Roman town was located here.
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Exploring the River Quin
The River Quin is a fascinating waterway. It plays an important role in the local area. Let's explore where it starts and what its journey is like.
Where Does the River Quin Begin?
The River Quin begins its journey near Barkway. This is in the northeast of Hertfordshire. It gathers water from several sources. These include springs from Biggin Moor. It also gets water from the Great Hormead Brook and Little Hormead Brook. Many small ditches from fields also feed the river. One of these is the Braughing Bourne. This area was once covered by a glacier during the Ice Age.
The river flows south. It passes close to the B1368 road. This road is southwest of Braughing. The Quin then meets the River Rib at a place called Gatesbury. For a long time, the river was moved a bit at this spot. This was done to help water grow special plants called watercress. After that, it flowed into the Rib.
Journey Through the Quin Valley
The area around the River Quin is called the Quin Valley. This valley is home to several villages. These include Hare Street and Great Hormead. Smaller places like Hay Street and Dassels are also in the valley.
The valley is quite flat around the river. It has gently sloping sides at its northern end. As you go further south, the valley becomes a bit narrower. The sides also get steeper there. Most of the valley is covered by open fields. Farmers grow crops in these fields. They are usually small to medium in size. Some larger fields can be seen, especially in the north. You won't find many forests or big trees right next to the river.
Crossing the River: Fords and Floods
In the village of Braughing, there are two special places to cross the river. These are called fords. A ford is a shallow place in a river where you can walk or drive across. One ford is at Sheeps Lane. The other is at Maltings Lane.
The River Quin can flood a lot after heavy rain. This happens often in autumn and winter. When the river floods, these fords become too dangerous to cross. In 1922, a sad event happened. A person tried to cross the Sheeps Lane Ford with a donkey and cart. The river was too high and strong. The donkey and cart were swept away. Sadly, the animal drowned. This shows how powerful the river can be when it floods.
