Flooding and
the River Kin

History of Sandridge Docks & The River Kin 

The Harpenden & District Local History Society has researched the flooding in Sandridge and established that although the River Kin no longer exists, after heavy rain its old route floods through Sandridge Village and House Lane.

Here's an extract from their website:

"The Kin ... course followed through Harpenden feeding the ponds at Southdown and thence through Southdown itself to Cross Farm, West End Farm and Nomansland. Parts of the course are clearly defined running parallel to the road until it reaches the present B651. It crosses this and deviates to the east and south until it reaches the village of Sandridge and thence to the gravel pits near the Beech Farm and on to the river Colne.

There seems little doubt that at one time it was a very substantial river indeed. Why does it not flow today? The reason of course is the need for water from an ever burgeoning population and the ever increasing demands on the aquifers for its supply with the consequent lowering of the water table and the demise of the spring lines at Kinsbourne Green."