The subterranean or underground rivers of London are or were the direct or indirect tributaries of the upper estuary of the Thames (the Tideway) that were built over during the growth of the metropolis of London. They now flow through culverts, with some of them integral parts of London's sewerage system and diverted accordingly.
North of the Thames
sub-tributaries are shown indented
Black Ditch
Hackney Brook
River Moselle (all three subtributaries via the Lea) Muswell Stream (sub-sub-tributary via Pymmes Brook) Lorteburn or Langbourne (now dry) River Walbrook River Fleet, crossing Fleet Street River Tyburn River Westbourne Tyburn Brook Counter's Creek Stamford Brook Parrs Ditch River Brent (partially underground) River Rom (partially underground)
South of the Thames
Earl's Sluice
River Peck
River Neckinger
River Effra
Heathwall Ditch
Falconbrook
Graveney (sub tributary of River Wandle) Norbury Brook River Quaggy (partially underground) (sub tributary of River Ravensbourne) Beverley Brook (partially underground) Sudbrook (partially underground)
Development
In June 2008, the office of Mayor of London published outline plans to reinstate some underground rivers. In January 2009, a partnership among the Environment Agency, Natural England, The River Restoration Centre, and the Greater London Authority set out a strategy for putting this into effect by creating the London Rivers Action Plan.