River Ivel
The River Ivel is a north-flowing river in south eastern England, running predominantly through Bedfordshire. It joins the River Great Ouse near Tempsford.
Course
The River Ivel rises at Ivel Springs immediately north of Baldock in northern Hertfordshire and flows generally northwards into Bedfordshire. It passes through the parishes and settlements of Stotfold, Arlesey, Henlow, Langford, Biggleswade, Sandy and Blunham before joining the River Great Ouse near Tempsford. The total length of the river is approximately 16 miles.Gauging Stations and Hydrology
Along the River Ivel, there are 2 gauging stations 1 in Biggleswade and 1 in Blunham. Gauge stations record measurements of the river i.e flow/m3, depth of the river, monitor floods and drought risks.| Station | Typical Depth | Minimum Depth | Maximum Depth |
| Biggleswade | 0.13–0.48 | 0.08 | 1.14 |
| Blunham | 0.17–0.55 | – | 1.45 |
The table above shows typical river levels at the Biggleswade and Blunham gauging stations along the River Ivel. The values indicate normal seasonal fluctuations, with water levels generally higher in winter and lower in summer. Historical maxima reflect periods of heavy rainfall and flood events. Although the river is relatively shallow under typical conditions, levels can rise quickly, especially downstream at Blunham, highlighting the river’s responsiveness to rainfall and catchment runoff. These gauges are monitored by the Environment Agency and provide important data for flood warning, water management, and ecological monitoring. Water levels tend to peak in winter and are generally lowest in late summer.
Conservation Efforts
The River Ivel is monitored by conservation groups-especially RevIvel the RevIvel association is a local volunteer group established to campaign for the restoration of sustainable flows to the upper reaches of the river. The group undertakes ecological and water-level monitoring, raises public awareness of environmental pressures such as groundwater abstraction and pollution, and engages with regulators and water companies. RevIvel is a member of the Chalk Aquifer Alliance, which promotes the protection of chalk streams across southern England.Tributaries
- The River Hiz joins beside Champneys Henlow, one of four resort hotels.
- The Flit joins the Ivel on the western boundary of Langford and its adjoining Ivel Navigation continuation to Shefford, Bedfordshire has meant the lower Flit is frequently labelled in maps as the Ivel.
- Pix brook joins the River Ivel near Henlow.
Areas at flood risk
The watercourse suddenly develops a low gradient. From the Flit confluence to Blunham lakes near its discharge, including parts of the town of Sandy the adjoining land is designated as a Flood Warning Area. The updated map of which area is, using computer flood-risk models and factors such as latest prevention measures, published by the Environment Agency.Nature trail
The Kingfisher Way is a nature trail of, which mostly follows the valley floor from the source at Ivel Springs in Baldock through to its confluence with the River Great Ouse at Tempsford.Ivel Navigation
Plans for a canal for the River Ivel were first announced in 1756. Locks were built in 1758 at Tempsford, Blunham, South Mills and Sandy. Tolls were initially lower than advertised leaving construction capital creditors including members of its maintenance committee in debt. Trade increased rapidly and such loans were redeemed in 1780. The canal was extended to Shefford, with locks at Biggleswade, Holme, Stanford and Clifton; reaching Shefford in 1823.The canal was abandoned in 1876 when a dam was built across it at Sandy, the relevant local act of Parliament, the , being passed in the same year. The river used for navigation also declined in use; railways were introduced during the 19th century they were more reliable than boats and trains can carry more resources which reduced labor and time.
History and industrial heritage structures
A wall of the former wharf at Shefford is beside a bridge over the Flit.A maintained towpath adjoins the canalised river. After crossing the footbridge over the River Hit, the path continues straight ahead for some way until the river returns. The canal, made from the river, used to run immediately to the left of the path, but was filled in after World War II as it was considered dangerous. The present course of the river there was originally the millstream for Shefford Mill, close to the remains of the tower mill still visible.
Further on, to the east of the village of Stanford a wooden footbridge crosses the river at the site of Stanford Lock, one of the best preserved on the old canal.
At Radwell, Hertfordshire, an old manor house and mill are situated on the river Ivel, which date back to Edward the Confessor. The Mill was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, and declared as worth 6s. 8d..
Canoeing and punting
The Ivel is no longer navigable to barges and is too narrow in many places along its length for single sculling. It can be canoed with care or punted in good conditions for 11 km between Biggleswade upriver to the junction with the Ouse which can equally be canoed, at Tempsford.Angling
Its fishing rights are owned by a mixture of:- the default owners, the adjoining landowners who own the river to its mid-point by riparian law
- by time-limited ownership or by freehold profit a prendre "in gross" in perpetuity by local angling clubs and informal groups of anglers