Titchfield Haven NNR

The Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Hampshire in southern England. It encompasses the lower floodplain of the River Meon, near to the point where it flows into the Solent near Hill Head.Ordnance Survey (2005). "OS Explorer Map 119 - Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham". ISBN 0-319-23596-3.]

Until late in the 16th century, the River Meon was navigable as far as Titchfield, which at that time was a significant port. However silting started to restrict the passage of ships, and in order to maintain Titchfield's status as a port, the Earl of Southampton proposed that a canal should be constructed. This canal opened in 1611 and was only the second canal existing in Britain at the time. Unfortunately the canal also suffered from silting and the sea trade moved to nearby Southampton and Portsmouth. As part of the construction of the canal, the outfall of the River Meon to the sea was dammed, creating the wetlands that now form the nature reserve.Hampshire County Council (2006). " [http://www.hants.gov.uk/countryside/titchfield/schools/riverstudy.html Activities at Titchfield Haven - River Study] ". Retrieved March 19, 2006.]

References

External links

*oscoor|SU533026_region:GB_scale:100000|Map sources for Titchfield Haven.
* [http://www.english-nature.org.uk/special/nnr/nnr_details.asp?nnr_name=&C=0&Habitat=0&natural_area=&local_team=0&spotlight_reserve=0&X=&NNR_ID=189 English Nature website] on Titchfield Haven