Hiz

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
River Hiz
The river in Arlesey
River Hiz is located in the United Kingdom
River Hiz
Location
CountryEngland
CountiesHertfordshire and Bedfordshire
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationSouth of Charlton at Wellhead
MouthRiver Ivel
 • location
Near Henlow
Length10 miles (16 km)

The River Hiz /hɪtʃ/ has a length of 13 km (8.1 mi) and it is a tributary river in Hertfordshire that feeds the River Ivel that, in turn, feeds the River Great Ouse.[1] Its headwaters rises south of the village of Charlton, the river winds its way through the county of Hertfordshire, moving its way into and through a northeastern direction into Hitchin, to its confluence with the River Purwell, then flows north through its confluence with the River Oughton at Ickleford. The Hiz joins at its confluence of the River Ivel near the village of Henlow.[2]

Footpath route

The Hicca Way, inaugurated in 2012, is a footpath which follows the course of the river.

Hydrology

Typical river levels at gauging stations on the River Hiz
StationTypical depth (m)Minimum depth (m)Maximum depth (m)
Arlesey0.13m-0.26m-1.40 m

There is one gauging station along the River Hiz, located at Arlesey. This station records the depth of the river and is used to monitor floods and droughts. This station is operated by Environment Agency.[3]

Hydromorphology

Its hydromorphological designation is 'heavily modified' which means it fails to achieve good ecological status due to its physical alterations caused by human use.[4][5][6]

Sites

The Hiz is a focal point in the town of Hitchin, with a market that takes place historically by its banks. The Hiz also runs past the Arlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadows nature reserve in Arlesey.

Ecology

Although small, the Hiz attracts a great deal of wildlife. There are many birds around this area, which include swans, ducks, coot and kingfishers. Fish inhabit the river (trout mainly) and there is also evidence of otters.

Toponymy

The z in Hiz is a Domesday-Book abbreviation for ts (or tch),[7] and Hiz is properly pronounced "Hitch". This fact seems to be little known, and Hiz is now normally said as it is spelled. It may take its name from the Hicce tribe, who inhabited the area and gave their name to Hitchin. Ekwall says that Hiz/Hitch is a probably back-formation from Hitchin, which in turn is the dative plural of Hicce.[8]

Norden [9] says the name is derived from a wood called Hitch, but Ekwall believes this is a conflation with Wychwood, for which the Old English is Hwiccawudu.[8]

References

  1. "River Hiz| 13 km, United Kingdom". Waterway Map.
  2. "North Hertfordshire District Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment" (PDF). North Hertfordshire District Council. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  3. "River Hiz level at Arlesey". Environment Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  4. "Glossary | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". Environment Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  5. "Hiz (DS Hitchin) | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". Environment Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  6. "Hiz (through Hitchin) | Catchment Data Explorer | Catchment Data Explorer". Environment Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  7. Johnston, James B., The Place-Names of England and Wales, London, 1915, p. 305
  8. Eilert Ekwall (1928). English River Names. OUP. pp. 197–198.
  9. J. Norden (1598). Description of Hertfordshire.
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to River Hiz at Wikimedia Commons

52°00′43″N 0°16′16″W / 52.01188°N 0.27106°W / 52.01188; -0.27106