Whyburn

Whyburn
Whyburn by Spring Street
Map
Location
CountryEngland
CountyNottinghamshire
TownHucknall
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationHucknall
MouthRiver Leen
 • location
Bestwood Village
 • coordinates
53°1′47″N 1°10′56″W / 53.02972°N 1.18222°W / 53.02972; -1.18222
Length5.01 km (3.11 mi)
Basin size8.25 km2 (3.19 sq mi)[1]

The Whyburn (known locally as Town Brook, and by the UK Government as Baker Lane Brook) is the main watercourse flowing through the town of Hucknall in the English county of Nottinghamshire. It rises in two separate springs at the foot of the Misk Hills by Whyburn Farm, and flows east into the town of Hucknall, past Whyburn Lane to which it also gives its name. The brook once drove several mills in Hucknall, the most notable example being close to the junction of Baker Street and Annesley Road near the town centre.[2] In the History of Hucknall Torkard it is suggested that a mill pond once existed close to the former village green (now the Market Place).[2]

The name of the stream is thought to be derived from a Celtic word 'Wy' meaning 'water'.[3] The Whyburn has a total length of around 5.01 kilometres (3.11 mi), and terminates in a confluence with the River Leen immediately upstream of Bestwood Village Mill Lakes. A school used to take the name of 'Whyburn'.[4]

Whyburn
source (Big Pond)
Wighay Farm track
source (Whyburn House Farm)
A611 Hucknall bypass
Wighay Allotments
Washdyke Lane
Greenwood Vale
Greenwood Avenue
Coniston Road
North Hill Street
Spring Street
Footbridge to Brook Street
Culvert along Ogle Street
Bakers Street
Disused Mill
Titchfield Street
Albert Street
Torkard Way
Culvert along Thoresby Dale
Station Road
Ashgate Road
Hucknall station
Hucknall Park and Ride
Culvert along Pagett Close
Robin Hood Line
Wigwam Lane
Leen Valley Golf course
River Leen at Bestwood

Flood mitigation measures

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The path of the Whyburn takes it though urban built up areas of Hucknall. In order to reduce the risk of urban flooding, several flood mitigation measures have been implemented along its length, including retention ponds, flood barriers, a monitoring station, and flood warning services.

In spite of the measures, the brook has flooded several times. The highest recorded river level was measured at 1.47 metres (4 ft 10 in) during Storm Babet in October 2023.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Baker Lane Brook Catchment (trib of Leen) Water Body". Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Beardsmore (1909). "Broxtowe Wapentake". Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  3. ^ Beardsmore (1909). "Place Names". Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Education League Tables: Whyburn Primary School". BBC. 2 December 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ John Smith (20 October 2023). "25 pictures of dramatic Hucknall and Bulwell flooding as Storm Babet strikes". Hucknall Dispatch. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

Bibliography

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