River Rib facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rib |
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The Rib close to its confluence with the River Lea
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Buckland Nr. Buntingford, Hertfordshire 130 m (430 ft) |
| River mouth | Hertford, Hertfordshire into River Lea |
| Length | 30.7 km (19.1 mi) |
The River Rib is a cool river in Hertfordshire, England. It starts near a village called Therfield in East Hertfordshire. The river flows alongside the A10 for a while.
As it travels, the River Rib passes through several towns and villages. These include Chipping, Wyddial, Buntingford, Westmill, Braughing, Puckeridge, and Standon. It then flows between Thundridge and Wadesmill. Finally, the River Rib joins another river, the River Lea, near Hertford. This meeting point is called a confluence.
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River Rib: A Look at Its Past
The River Rib has an interesting history. People have used its power for different things over the years.
Power from the Water
Long ago, the River Rib helped power a special kind of machine called an overshot watermill. This mill was located at Ware Park, between the towns of Hertford and Ware. Watermills used the force of flowing water to turn a large wheel. This wheel could then power machines to grind grain or do other work.
Controlling the Floods
In the past, the River Rib used to flood quite often. This happened especially in autumn when there was a lot of heavy rain. These floods could cause problems for the areas nearby.
However, in the 1970s, engineers did some important work to stop the flooding. They dredged the river, which means they cleaned out the bottom to make it deeper. They also did other engineering work to control the water flow. This helped to prevent the river from overflowing its banks during heavy rains.
Water Supply for Towns
Before modern water systems were built, the River Rib was a very important source of water. It was the main water supply for the town of Buntingford and the areas around it. People relied on the river for their daily water needs. Later, a pump was installed to help get water from the river, making it easier for everyone to access.
