Local resident, Janis Anderson has sent in some interesting pictures of the Danestream in Milford on Sea flooding. The photos show The Pleasure Grounds and paths by the Japanese Bridge under water on the weekend of the 28th October 2023.
Other parts of the village were also affected with flooding throughout the week, as the downpours were unrelenting. This included The Lazy Lion pub garden, Lymore Lane, Saltgrass Lane in Keyhaven, plus several other places.
 |
| click image to enlarge |
 |
Saltgrass Lane, Keyhaven
Picture by Graham Wiffen |
------------------------------------------
Milford on Sea village is not new to flooding, as covered in some previous articles:
Bob Braid of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society previously shared some photos and newspaper cutting of flooding in the village from 1968 and 1982.
At the time, Bob commented; "This is how the village used to be before the 'Downton Lane Dam'. 1968: I think the estate car was owned by the owner of Bay Trees who got fed up with vehicles sending waves through his front door; until the police told him to move it."
New Forest Catchment Flood Management Plan
Published in December 2009, an interesting document highlighted the village and the Milford Flood Alleviation Scheme.
The village has flood defences and structures at the Flood Storage Reservoir and the Flood Attenuation Dam on the Danes Stream upstream towards Downton, Milford on Sea.
In Autumn 2000, an Environment Agency report, described the Milford Dam Flood Alleviation Scheme as having been designed to store water during high flows. The gate operation is automatic and if there is a power loss, air pressure will close the gate to the fail-safe condition. It will open on resumption of power but the gas cylinder will need changing.
This defence prevented Milford on Sea village from flooding 4 times during the Autumn 2000 event.
 |
| The Danestream |
The New Forest Catchment Flood Management Plan detailed the regional flood risk in 2009, and concluded that the main source of flooding in the New Forest area is from rivers with significant influence from tidal conditions. Risks that are most significant included Milford on Sea and Keyhaven
The report also stated that; 'There have been several large events over the last century, particularly on the Danes Stream'.
Based on an impact of a 1% annual probability flood event, in 2009 the number of properties at risk was 77. This was forecast to rise to 244 by 2100. Near the coast, river flooding may be affected by high tide levels, which is expected to get worse with any predicted future sea level rise.
----------------------------------
January 2023: Danestream bursts its banks
Long-time local resident, Paul Baker (and his little buddy, Luka) captured a dramatic video as they waded through the flooding close to the slope at the junction of Blackbush Road and Sharvells Road.
Please click here to read article.
----------------------------------
Memories of the Danestream: Following publishing the article 'Danestream bursts its banks' we received memories from Alice Yeandle. Alice was bought up in Milford on Sea, having moved to village from Worthing at 5 years of age. She now lives in France.
Please click here to read article.
----------------------------------
January 2023: Lazy Lion Cellar flooded
Having needed to close for a few days following their cellar being flooded, The Lazy Lion soon reopened and was back and welcoming customers for tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
------------------------------------
'Danestream or Danes Stream, who knows?'
------------------------------------
The 'Pleasure Grounds' through which the Danestream runs, is understood to have only got its name around the 2000's. Previously it was known as 'The Pleasure Gardens'; as it had been planted up as an ornamental garden and it was part of the 19th century Georgian attempt to turn Milford on Sea into a prominent and gentrified seaside resort.
Some long-standing village residents also refer the area simply as "Pledge".
------------------------------------
