I’ve been trying to find out more about our little river recently. Where does it start, where does it go and most of all, what is it called?
It’s a lovely little river with seemingly more wildlife every year. Baby moorhens were spotted last week and in the past I’ve seen ducks living on it and little fish swimming in the various pools. There’s a kingfisher nearby, water voles have been spotted on it’s banks and there are countless insects and birds. As well as being a great asset for wildlife, it’s also a fantastic amenity for us. I’ve often stood and watched it with my daughter, played pooh sticks and gathered brambles from it’s banks.
The river clearly appears 
on maps and aerial photographs, but I have yet to find any – including fluvial maps – that name the river. But I think it’s probably the South Norwood Stream. I know it flows through (or starts) in South Norwood Country Park.
What I find amazing is that our little river eventually flows into the Thames at Deptford Creek. Before that it joins firstly with the Chaffinch Brook at Clockhouse Road, then joins the River Beck to form the Pool River. The Pool River joins the Ravensbourne at Catford Bridge and then the Quaggy at Lewisham. The map slows the river catchment.
Co-incidently I also found out about the Three Rivers Clean-up project. Now in it’s third year, this project aims to remove invasive plant species, complement work to naturalise as much of the river catchment as possible and give volunteers and opportunity to explore and improve hidden parts of the area. The third clean up starts on Monday 17 June and runs for three weeks. They will be working on our river on Tuesday 18 June, both in the allotment and in Maberley Park. Follow their latest activity on their Twitter feed @3rcu
