River Blackwater, Surrey
The River Blackwater is a boundary river, flowing in or bounding Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. It is a tributary of the River Loddon, which is itself a tributary of the River Thames.
The Blackwater rises at Rowhill on the outskirts of Aldershot, between Aldershot in Hampshire and Farnham in Surrey. The well is in the Rowhill Nature Reserve, Aldershot; an isolated remnant of the extensive heathland that once surrounded Farnborough and Aldershot. The remaining heathland is used by the British Army for training exercises.
The Blackwater runs northwards marking the county boundary initially to join the Loddon near the village of Swallowfield in Berkshire. Along part of its length, the river forms the boundary between Hampshire and Surrey, and then between Hampshire and Berkshire.
After 20 miles the Blackwater is joined by the River Whitewater near Eversley.
The river gives its name to the small town of Blackwater, on the river near Camberley.
Blackwater Valley
The River Blackwater runs down the centre of the Blackwater Valley, which is maintained as an open space along the borders of the counties of Berks, Hants and Surrey. It runs for approximately 20 miles from the source of the River Blackwater at Rowhill Nature Reserve near Aldershot in the south, northwards to Swallowfield where the river joins the River Whitewater and then the Loddon. The Loddon eventually flows into the River Thames near Reading.
Although surrounded by urban development the Valley provides an important green corridor for local residents. As well as the Blackwater Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a small part of the Basingstoke Canal SSSI, three nature reserves within the Valley catchment and many other areas have been recognised for their ecological importance. The local planning authorities covering the Valley have designated 31 other areas as ‘Wildlife Sites’. As a result of an improvement programme, wildlife is returning, including the Otter which has been absent for over 40 years, fishing stocks are improving and the construction of the long distance riverside path has opened up much of the riverbank.
A cycle route runs alongside the River Blackwater for most of its length. There is a running club named Blackwater Valley Runners who run there regularly.
Ash Aqueduct
The Basingstoke Canal runs east west from the Greywell Tunnel at Greywell to the River Wey. It crosses the Blackwater Valley on an embankment. The River Blackwater used to flow under the embankment in a culvert. Following the construction of the relief road, the Basingstoke Canal now crosses the River Blackwater by way of the spectacular Ash Aqueduct. Bats that used to roost in the culvert now live in a purpose-built bat house on a nearby island. The new aqueduct affords views of the surrounding countryside.
In the distance to the south is the Hog's Back, the great ridge which runs between Farnham and Guildford.
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