Bucklebury has several fords known for their varying water levels.
This ford is a good location to get up close to a chalk river. Its southerly flow from its source near Compton is diverted in a more easterly direction as it encounters the London clay forms around Bucklebury.
A depth gauge marker at the ford shows the depth of the river in metres and feet.
In wet periods the river can fill quickly from the surrounding hills and can be prone to flooding particularly in the winter when the surrounding ground is saturated.
During periods of drought or high water extraction (as has occurred in the past), the river bed can dry up even though the river may still be flowing under the bed.
However, it's not unknown for the bed to be exposed in winter and for the summer to experience high levels. This is a result of the variability of the underground chalk aquifers upstream.
The river lies in a valley with a late Cretaceous chalk bedrock formed around 85 million years ago. The surrounding valley terrace, particular to the south, comprises primarily of clay, sand and silt formed around 50-60 million years ago in the Palaeogene period.
Image reproduced under the Open Government Licence, contains British Geological Survey materials © NERC 2015.
Visit the ford:
In order to log this Earthcache you must visit the ford. Please answers to the following questions.
- What is the appearance of the river bed upstream and downstream of the ford?
- Describe the quality of the water at the ford.
- Why does it appear like this?
- Which side of the ford is the footbridge?
Email your answers:
Send your answers by email to earthcache@gopubcaching.uk. Please include your caching name in the subject. This will enable your answers to be recorded for our records and will give you a prompt response.
Online Log:
In your online log entry, please indicate what was the depth at the time of your visit (for consistency, please log the depth in metres from the gauge).
Also, indicate in your log whether you think the water level will fall, rise or remain the same in the next month.
Failure to record these details may result in your log being deleted.
Optionally, you may include a photograph of the depth marker. Photos including geohounds are particularly favourable!
Important Notice:
It is important that you take notice of all signage, particularly warning signs.
Do not attempt to drive your vehicle through the ford unless you are absolutely sure it is safe to do so.
If the ford crossing is closed you must not drive through it. You cross entirely at your own risk.
A footbridge runs along side of the ford enabling pedestrian access across the river.
Children and dogs should be supervised.
Further Discovery:
The British Geological Survey has a number of maps which can be viewed online showing bedrock and sediments across the Thames Valley
There are also videos showing the ford in flood on YouTube
Enjoy your visit. There are many caches nearby for your further enjoyment.
International Geocaching EarthCache Day Weekend 8 & 9 October 2022.