River Lee

Lea Lee
River Lea at Hertford Basin
Location
Country	United Kingdom
Counties	Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Greater London
Towns	Leagrave, Luton, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hertford, Ware, Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Waltham Abbey, Enfield Town, Edmonton, Tottenham, Clapton, Stratford, Bow, Canning Town
Physical characteristics
Source
- location	Leagrave, Luton
- coordinates	51°54′37″N 0°27′40″W / 51.910338°N 0.461233°W / 51.910338; -0.461233
- elevation	115 m (377 ft)
Mouth
- location	Bow Creek, River Thames
- coordinates	51°30′26″N 0°00′33″E / 51.5072°N 0.0092°E / 51.5072; 0.0092
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	68 km (42 mi)
Discharge
- location	Luton Hoo, Luton
- average	1.8 m3/s (64 cu ft/s)
Discharge
- location	Feildes Weir, Hoddesdon
- average	4.3 m3/s (150 cu ft/s)
Basin features
Designation
Ramsar Wetland
Official name	Lea Valley
Designated	9 October 2000
Reference no.	1037[1]

The River Lee or River Lea^[2] is a river in England. It begins in Leagrave Park, Leagrave, Luton in the Chiltern Hills. It flows generally southeast, east, and then south to London where it meets the River Thames. The last section is known as Bow Creek. A section of the river runs through Hertford castle and shares a valley with the river Beane at Hartham common. Morgans School, in Hertford, have named one of their houses after the river Lea.

1. ↑ "Lee Valley". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
2. ↑ Historically, the river has been called the "Lea", "Lee" or "Ley". The "Ley" spelling is seen in mediaeval documents but subsequently passed from common usage. Currently, "Lea" and "Lee" are the generally accepted spellings, with "Lea" used in reference to the original natural river and "Lee" refers to the canalised parts like the Lee Navigation.