Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
That got your attention didn't it.
The river Dour has dropped 7 inches in the last 3 months, I don't believe for one minute it is lack of rainfall and the authorities may tell us they are not drawing it off, so where is it all going?
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i did say not to talk about me ian.
i have actually noticed a difference with the water levels not to that extent though
What could it be? I do not understand these things........
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
The fish are drinking it?

Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Funny this has been mentioned....I was in Bushey Ruff this am, and walk right to the end.....
Scarcely any water, running in that particular source
They have a measurement gauge by the bridge close to the little car park....that is showing the water is very low indeed......
Last time this happened, the "authorities" were up to hanky panky...re..building works etc....
Perhaps there is an expert on the forum......
I have to say, I am extremely attached to this river which runs through Dover....It has, and does serve it well, not enough made of it, ofcourse.............but then in the town, it is becoming a rubbish tip...Dear old Ducks etc......
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
Only 4 replies but 80 people have viewed. you gotta laugh aint ya.

grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
It may just be the time of year. In that whatever you think of the rain fall it is too the growing season. Perhaps the rain fall shall result in bumper crops. More of autumnal and winter rain fall will run off the land after harvest.
So...
In conclusion.
We have experienced the wrong sort of rain.
And yes, Ian. You are now known to disappoint.

Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
It is not that long since we had a decent drop of rain so it is possibly being syphoned off somewhere for whatever reason.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
The River Dour used to carry a lot more water in days of old.
Several hundred years ago, possibly in the 17th century, it gradually got narrower, with much less water, but there is no explanation as to why this happened.
Personally I have noticed that there are what to me appear springs on some parts of the beach towards Eastern Docks, from where water runs into the sea at low tide.
As these springs cannot be sea water, I assume that there is a flow of underground water from that area directly into the sea, water which doesn't end up in the Dour.
So maybe the answer to the puzzle is that there are underground streams running through Dover, and that these gather some of the water that otherwise would end up in the Dour.
Guest 673- Registered: 16 Jun 2008
- Posts: 1,388
Alex: The water which flows under the beach is the vestigial remnant of the East Dour.
See thread below for info and a photo by PaulB of kids actually playing in it.
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=2502Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Thanks for the info, Ed. I was wondering if those springs are the eastern branch of the Dour.
As occasionally there is more water coming out of them and sometimes less, I suppose that might explain why the western branch of the Dour at times has less water.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
been raining for quite a few days now so why is the dour in pencester gardens so short of water?
even in places where there is water from one bank to the other it is not more than an inch or two deep.
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
You may have got the feeling that these days I don't care any more.
Your right I don't.
I just don't understand why me and the neighbours can be standing out the back leaning over the fence as you do and having a drink and a chinwag, the river suddenly drops another few inches and then comes back 2 hrs later??????????????
Always late evening too.
I did say a long time ago that the River Dour would become a stream ( or even a piddly little brook).
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
or worst a burn.

Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Presumably anyone taking water out "up-stream" would have to have permission of the EA Ian ?
I know you're not bothered Ian (??), but do you have an email address for someone there and I'll write to them ?
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I suspect the Environment Agency/DHB are testing the sluice gates into the Wellington Dock. If they are not working properly the river will go tidal when the dock is drained. There were men in yellow coats down there this morning.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
It is not good to have such negativity.......even tho' you feel very powerless about most of what is going on....
The River Dour would be sourly missed, if only by the goodly people, who give it a good clean up every month or so.....
As has been remarked on other threads...there is nothing like diddly Ducks, and a shimmering River, Willow Trees etc. etc....to lighten ones mood....
I am interested as to why it is so very low...have noticed this by the Age Concern Garden...if you can call it that....through Pencester Gardens...but it increases in flow just by the Underpass before you climb towards Cambridge Terrace which I do not understand.....
All settlements were made by Rivers by our forebears.....and Towns would be poorer without them....
So...let's get to the answers......otherwise if murky things are going on, they will assume no-one has noticed.............

Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
I do hope you where joking Peter

. its not possible.
Your over 60 now Roger, please don't wast your time running around in circles.
Good luck Charlie, please read between the lines when your given a statement.

grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
sorry i didnt post the first time Ian, was picking myself off the floor about the title.. its interesting!
So, the dour is losing height, thats never a good thing...
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,888
On my way home from the shop I have just seen the Dour from Bridge Street it looks higher than I have seen it for a while.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------