River Hiz

"Hiz" redirects here. For the Turkish footballer, seeGülbin Hız.For Hi-Z,seeHigh impedance.

River Hiz
The river inArlesey
Location
Country	England
Counties	HertfordshireandBedfordshire
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	South ofCharlton
Mouth	River Ivel
• location	NearHenlow
Length	10 miles (16 km)

TheRiver Hiz/hɪtʃ/is a small (10 miles (16 km)) tributary river inHertfordshirethat feeds theRiver Ivelthat, in turn, feeds theRiver Great Ouse.Starting at its source of a chalk fed spring just south of the village ofCharlton,the river winds its way through the county ofHertfordshire,moving its way into and throughHitchin,where it meets theRiver OughtonandRiver Purwell.The Hiz finally meets theRiver Ivelnear the village ofHenlow.

TheHicca Way,inaugurated in 2012, is a footpath which follows the course of the river.

The Hiz is a focal point in the town of Hitchin, with a market that takes place historically by its banks. The Hiz also runs past theArlesey Old Moat and Glebe Meadowsnature reserve inArlesey.

Although small, the Hiz attracts a great deal of wildlife. There are many birds around this area, which includeswans,ducks,cootandkingfishers.Fish inhabit the river (troutmainly) and there is also evidence ofotters.

Toponymy

The z in Hiz is aDomesday-Bookabbreviation for ts (or tch),and Hiz is properly pronounced "Hitch". This fact seems to be little known, and Hiz is now normally said as it is spelled. It may take its name from theHiccetribe, who inhabited the area and gave their name to Hitchin. Ekwall says that Hiz/Hitch is a probably back-formation from Hitchin, which in turn is the dative plural of Hicce.

Nordensays the name is derived from a wood called Hitch, but Ekwall believes this is a conflation withWychwood,for which the Old English isHwiccawudu.

External links

• Media related toRiver Hizat Wikimedia Commons