View report page

190
on 25th September, 1967, at 11.55 a.m. in fine weather, gave the
following results:—
pH Value 8.1
Parts Per Million
Suspended Solids Negligible
Biochemical Oxygen Demand 1.4
Dissolved Oxygen 95.0
Percentage Saturation
Dissolved Oxygen 97.3
Classification
Very Clean
Storm Flooding
There were no instances of damage to property recorded due to
unusually heavy rainfall during the current year.
River Ravensbourne—Improvement and Jurisdiction
Although no complaints of flooding were received during the
year under review, nevertheless, for over a century now at times
of heavy rainfall the Ravensbourne has overflowed its banks to
inundate the proximal areas, some as many as five times a year.
It was for this reason that the River Ravensbourne, etc.
(Improvement and Flood Prevention) Act, 1961, was introduced
to confer like powers on the London and Kent County Councils
for "the improvement and protection of and the prevention of
flooding from the River Ravensbourne and its tributaries and for
purposes connected therewith". In London it applies not only to
the rivers Ravensbourne, Pool, and Quaggy, the Kid Brook, Kyd
Brook and the Lower Kid Brook but also to the parts of all
tributaries, brooks and watercourses (whether open or covered)
that flow into these rivers or streams.
Powers were given to both these County Councils to make by-laws
and, in the prevention of pollution,
(a) to dredge, cleanse and scour the stream,
(b) to reduce or remove any shoals, banks or other accumulation in the stream,
(c) to abate or remove, or cause to be abated or removed, all
or any impediments, obstructions or nuisances whatsoever
in the stream or on the banks thereof.
Such powers included the purchase of any necessary land by agreement or compulsorily and the prohibition of the deposition of any
articles, matter, etc., in the stream or on the banks. Dredging of