Hogsmill River

Location map
Surrey
lat=51.350225
long=-0.248624
width=180
float=right
caption="The source of Hogsmill River shown within Surrey"
(gbmapping|TQ219627)

The Hogsmill River is one of the tributaries of the River Thames, 6 miles (9.9km) in length: it has a catchment area (water basin) of 73 km². Its source is a chalk spring at or near gbmapping|TQ219627 in the spring line village of Ewell, in Surrey to flow in a northerly direction through Old Malden and New Malden to its confluence on the reach above Teddington Lock close to the centre of Kingston upon Thames at gbmapping|TQ177691.

Tributaries

Its principal tributary is the "Bonesgate Stream", 3 miles (5km) in length, which rises south of Chessington to join the Hogsmill at Tolworth Court Bridge. Its other tributaries are:
* Surbiton Stream, 3.75 miles (6km)
* Horton Stream, 3.3 miles (5.3km)
* Greens Lane Stream, 1 mile (1.8km)
* Ewell Court Stream, 1.7 mile (2.7km)
* Hogsmill Stream, 0.3 mile (0.5km)

The main river flows through much low-lying land, the majority of which is given over to sports grounds, until the final section through the built-up area of Kingston. Epsom and Ewell borough council maintain the "Hogsmill Open Space" which follows the river until the boundary with Kingston.

Art

The Hogsmill has appeared in the art of Millais in his rendition of Ophelia [ Jason Rosenfield & Alison Smith "Millais (Exhibition Catalogue)" Tate Publishing 2007 ] and of Holman Hunt ^{[http://www.hogsmill.org/index.htm]}

Industry

The Hogsmill is known for gunpowder mills, reputed to have produced gunpowder for the Napoleonic WarsFact|date=February 2007. Additionally the waters were used to generate electricity for Ewell Court House ^{[http://www.derek.phillips.ukonline.co.uk/ech&bridges.htm]}

Local Legend

William the Conqueror is said to have "watered his horse" in the source waters near today's Spring Hotel. Custom states this to be the pool at gbmapping|TQ218628Fact|date=February 2007

ee also

*List of rivers in England
*Ewell for etymology of "Ewell"
*watermill
*Watermills in the United Kingdom

References

External links

* [http://www.e-voice.org.uk/hag/ Hogsmill Action Group]
* [http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/floodwarning/33_1?time=1124554500 Flood warning notices]
* [http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/environment/parks/hogsmill.htm Hogsmill Valley Walk]
* [http://www.derek.phillips.ukonline.co.uk/hogsmill1.htm The Hogsmill River]

River item line|upstream=Longford River, Raven's Ait (north)
downstream=River Crane (north)