World Rivers Day: how Beverley Brook shapes Barnes's flood resilience
26 September 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
Sunday 27 September is World Rivers Day — and Richmond Council is marking it by highlighting the ongoing work to understand and manage the Beverley Brook, the 8.9-mile waterway that flows through much of south-west London before joining the Thames.
The Beverley Brook rises at Cuddington Recreation Ground in Worcester Park and passes through Sutton, Kingston, Merton, Wandsworth and Richmond on its way to the Thames. For Barnes residents, it is a familiar presence — and an important one. Because the brook flows largely through built-up, hard-surfaced areas, rainwater cannot easily soak into the ground. Instead it drains rapidly into the brook, causing water levels to rise quickly after heavy rainfall. This characteristic — known as a 'flashy' response — becomes particularly hazardous when heavy rain coincides with a high tide in the Thames, limiting the brook's ability to discharge freely.
The council says it is actively mapping how water moves through the catchment to identify measures that could make the area more resilient to flooding in the years ahead.
Residents concerned about local flood risk can find further information, including how to sign up for flood alerts, through the Environment Agency's website. Read the full World Rivers Day piece from Richmond Council.