Subterranean rivers of London facts for kids

A sketch map of some lost rivers

The Effra is one of the subterranean rivers of London. It empties into the Thames by Vauxhall Bridge, from which this photograph was taken.

The subterranean or underground rivers of London are the tributaries of the River Thames and River Lea that were built over during the growth of the metropolis of London. The rivers now flow through underground culverts.

Subterranean rivers in London

The Moselle is visible above ground flowing through Tottenham Cemetery on its way to the Lea.

North of the River Thames

• The Walbrook
• The River Fleet, the largest; see Fleet Street
• The River Tyburn
• The Tyburn Brook
• Hackney Brook
• The River Moselle
• Muswell Stream
• The River Westbourne
• Counter's Creek
• Stamford Brook
• River Brent (partly underground)
• River Rom (partly underground)

The culverted mouth of the Earl's Sluice at Deptford Wharf

South of the River Thames

• Earl's Sluice
• The River Peck
• The River Neckinger
• The River Effra
• The Falconbrook
• The Graveney River
• The River Quaggy (part subterranean)
• The Beverley Brook (part subterranean)
• Sudbrook

Development

In June 2008, the office of Mayor of London published outline plans to reinstate some underground rivers. In January 2009, a partnership among the Environment Agency, Natural England, The River Restoration Centre, and the Greater London Authority set out a strategy for putting this into effect by creating the London Rivers Action Plan.