River Lee Country Park

The bittern watchpoint in the background of the Seventy Acres lake Fishers Green
Looking west across Holyfield Lake

The River Lee Country Park is located in the Lee Valley Park and is managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Covering 1,000 acres (400 ha) acres on either side of the River Lee Navigation between Waltham Abbey and Broxbourne. An area of lakes, watercourses, open spaces and three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) linked by footpaths and cycle tracks.

The site straddles the Hertfordshire/Essex boundary.

History

Since the 1930s the area which was originally part of the River Lea flood plain has been the centre of the sand and gravel industry, as a result there are many mature gravel pits. Some of the lakes were used for land fill purposes. In a joint effort by the St Albans Sand and Gravel Co Ltd and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority the area has been transformed, with much of the park a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) [1]

Olympics 2012

The park at the Showground site, Highbridge Street A121, Waltham Cross is the chosen venue for the 2012 Olympics canoeing events. The site will be known as the Lee Valley White Water Centre.

Watercourses

The River Lea at Kings Weir
The River Lee Navigation above Waltham Cross

Lakes

Friday Lake

The following are some of the larger waters that can be visited in the park. Some of them form the Turnford and Cheshunt Pits SSSI. [2]

The Herts Young Mariners at Cheshunt Lake
Northmetpit

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

The park contains three SSSIs;

References

  1. River Lee Country Park Retrieved 19 May 2008
  2. Turnford and Cheshunt Pits SSSI Retrieved 5 September 2008
  3. Herts Young Mariners Retrieved 23 May 2008

Coordinates: 51°42′04″N 0°00′43″W / 51.701°N 0.012°W / 51.701; -0.012

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