Simon Collins
@sirgeogy.bsky.social
Geographer River Mole SE England. Trustee River Mole River Watch https://www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk 🌪️Extreme wx Site Investigator TORRO https://www.torro.org.uk ☀️I’m into writing, local weather, climate, rivers and walking. https://themolestory.com/
Beautiful iridescence over Reeth, North Yorks
October 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Beautiful iridescence over Reeth, North Yorks
‼️Flood alerts issued preemptively for River Mole due to Storm Benjamin from early hours 23 October for Upper and a bit later for Middle Mole : use links below to find details.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
October 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
‼️Flood alerts issued preemptively for River Mole due to Storm Benjamin from early hours 23 October for Upper and a bit later for Middle Mole : use links below to find details.
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/...
Why didn't the River Mole dry up this summer?
Remember my post on historic vanishings thru the Mole Gap?
Despite the record dry spring & low flows, it kept flowing! No vanishing like '76/'22. Here's a quick review on why it didn't dry up.
www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/will-th...
Remember my post on historic vanishings thru the Mole Gap?
Despite the record dry spring & low flows, it kept flowing! No vanishing like '76/'22. Here's a quick review on why it didn't dry up.
www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/will-th...
October 14, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Why didn't the River Mole dry up this summer?
Remember my post on historic vanishings thru the Mole Gap?
Despite the record dry spring & low flows, it kept flowing! No vanishing like '76/'22. Here's a quick review on why it didn't dry up.
www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/will-th...
Remember my post on historic vanishings thru the Mole Gap?
Despite the record dry spring & low flows, it kept flowing! No vanishing like '76/'22. Here's a quick review on why it didn't dry up.
www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/will-th...
September’s River Mole water quality snapshot is out!
Low river flow = higher pollution concentration. Phosphate & nitrate both worryingly high — 80% of streams in Moderate-Poor-Bad status. Ammonia off scale in a few badly behaved streams. Read more www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
Low river flow = higher pollution concentration. Phosphate & nitrate both worryingly high — 80% of streams in Moderate-Poor-Bad status. Ammonia off scale in a few badly behaved streams. Read more www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
October 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
September’s River Mole water quality snapshot is out!
Low river flow = higher pollution concentration. Phosphate & nitrate both worryingly high — 80% of streams in Moderate-Poor-Bad status. Ammonia off scale in a few badly behaved streams. Read more www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
Low river flow = higher pollution concentration. Phosphate & nitrate both worryingly high — 80% of streams in Moderate-Poor-Bad status. Ammonia off scale in a few badly behaved streams. Read more www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
Super day with SERT & EA testing water quality on Redhill Brook at Mercers Park, Moors nature reserve and into Redhill: interesting catchment wrt geology, quarrying and landfill. Delighted Simon Elson could join us as his expertise was invaluable. plus great coffee at lovely Aquasport cafe 👍
October 1, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Super day with SERT & EA testing water quality on Redhill Brook at Mercers Park, Moors nature reserve and into Redhill: interesting catchment wrt geology, quarrying and landfill. Delighted Simon Elson could join us as his expertise was invaluable. plus great coffee at lovely Aquasport cafe 👍
📣🦦It's World Rivers Week... on Sunday 28 Sept River Mole River Watch will be at the Stepping Stones, Box Hill with South East Rivers Trust. Please come and see us by the river.
September 23, 2025 at 10:34 AM
📣🦦It's World Rivers Week... on Sunday 28 Sept River Mole River Watch will be at the Stepping Stones, Box Hill with South East Rivers Trust. Please come and see us by the river.
Little rain for Mole last night <2mm. Tstorms clipped Kent, common with plumes but Mole levels barely moved. EA's flood alert always outside chance and a *bust*, not for the first time. Alerts need to be accurate to maintain credibility, not pre-emptive of uncertain Tstorm events
June 14, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Little rain for Mole last night <2mm. Tstorms clipped Kent, common with plumes but Mole levels barely moved. EA's flood alert always outside chance and a *bust*, not for the first time. Alerts need to be accurate to maintain credibility, not pre-emptive of uncertain Tstorm events
EA issues pre-emptive flood alert for River Mole due to potential Tstorm rainfall tonight from cells moving up from France now. River levels low, so flooding likely only with high-end totals. Mole one of few UK rivers with pre-emptive alerts. Radar courtesy Netweather.tv @metoffice.gov.uk
June 13, 2025 at 4:42 PM
EA issues pre-emptive flood alert for River Mole due to potential Tstorm rainfall tonight from cells moving up from France now. River levels low, so flooding likely only with high-end totals. Mole one of few UK rivers with pre-emptive alerts. Radar courtesy Netweather.tv @metoffice.gov.uk
River Mole River Watch AGM today with inspiring Erica Popplewell on how support from RiverAction and @friendsofthethames.bsky.social grows our impact together; top partner progress updates by Reading Uni Prof Jess Neumann Dr Ria Woodfield SESW and Dr Lewis Campbell SERT. Plus a river picnic talk!🎉
May 17, 2025 at 6:04 PM
River Mole River Watch AGM today with inspiring Erica Popplewell on how support from RiverAction and @friendsofthethames.bsky.social grows our impact together; top partner progress updates by Reading Uni Prof Jess Neumann Dr Ria Woodfield SESW and Dr Lewis Campbell SERT. Plus a river picnic talk!🎉
Today… Corrie and I are somewhere in the River Mole catchment ❤️
April 29, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Today… Corrie and I are somewhere in the River Mole catchment ❤️
Emissions from WasteWater Treatment works now available from "Real-Time Climate Trace Map" released today... the River Mole Catchment total emissions from major WwTWs = 33Kt CO2e in 2024. Total CO2e from all sectors for Surrey 4Mts in same year. climatetrace.org/explore/#adm...
April 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Emissions from WasteWater Treatment works now available from "Real-Time Climate Trace Map" released today... the River Mole Catchment total emissions from major WwTWs = 33Kt CO2e in 2024. Total CO2e from all sectors for Surrey 4Mts in same year. climatetrace.org/explore/#adm...
NEW! At 4Mts the new Live Climate Trace emissions map shows 2024 CO2e emissions from all sectors in Surrey are about the same as that from Gatwick Airport (in Sussex). climatetrace.org/explore/#adm...
April 21, 2025 at 9:40 AM
NEW! At 4Mts the new Live Climate Trace emissions map shows 2024 CO2e emissions from all sectors in Surrey are about the same as that from Gatwick Airport (in Sussex). climatetrace.org/explore/#adm...
Our River Mole Citizen Science Results for March saw a significant uptick in pollution levels compared to the wetter conditions of Feb...the transition to increased concentration of pollutants has arrived a month earlier than last year. details here www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
April 8, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Our River Mole Citizen Science Results for March saw a significant uptick in pollution levels compared to the wetter conditions of Feb...the transition to increased concentration of pollutants has arrived a month earlier than last year. details here www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/river-m...
Thanks to our joint efforts with West Vale RA, Horley CC & MP Chris Coghlan, it’s now Priority 1. Updates to follow.
March 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Thanks to our joint efforts with West Vale RA, Horley CC & MP Chris Coghlan, it’s now Priority 1. Updates to follow.
Met Thames Water re upgrade of Horley sewage works today which has slipped a year 😫 now starts Dec 2026, completing 2028. Contractors found it more complex than expected. This may overlap with DEFRA’s storm overflow plan, but coordination isn’t guaranteed 😫
March 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Met Thames Water re upgrade of Horley sewage works today which has slipped a year 😫 now starts Dec 2026, completing 2028. Contractors found it more complex than expected. This may overlap with DEFRA’s storm overflow plan, but coordination isn’t guaranteed 😫
Grossly misleading statement from Thames Water at recent MVDC committee with Clarion Homes on impacts of Dorking development… Thames Water : “What we actually put into the water is obviously higher quality than what’s already in the receiving water course”. This is very misleading to councillors.
March 27, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Grossly misleading statement from Thames Water at recent MVDC committee with Clarion Homes on impacts of Dorking development… Thames Water : “What we actually put into the water is obviously higher quality than what’s already in the receiving water course”. This is very misleading to councillors.
Finally.. the pic showing runway at Gatwick flooded during 2013
March 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Finally.. the pic showing runway at Gatwick flooded during 2013
Nice view of ISS padding over Reigate just now
March 20, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Nice view of ISS padding over Reigate just now
Excellent day visiting sites with NFM potential in River Mole catchment with SERT
March 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Excellent day visiting sites with NFM potential in River Mole catchment with SERT
Latest news and pollution updates from River Mole River Watch... www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/februar...
March 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Latest news and pollution updates from River Mole River Watch... www.rivermoleriverwatch.org.uk/post/februar...
Map of route .. circled is path blocked area.
March 5, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Map of route .. circled is path blocked area.
Likely no further..unless paths at Riverside are moved far. Airport boundary doesn’t change much. A few proposals we pushed at dco included improved path access connecting up countryside areas esp River Mole / Gatwick Strm corridors. Some really need attention!
March 5, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Likely no further..unless paths at Riverside are moved far. Airport boundary doesn’t change much. A few proposals we pushed at dco included improved path access connecting up countryside areas esp River Mole / Gatwick Strm corridors. Some really need attention!
Finally, across the busy A23 airport feeder road roundabout to sneak into the Riverside at the confluence of the Mole and Gatwick Stream to end the walk. Walk stats coming soon.
March 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Finally, across the busy A23 airport feeder road roundabout to sneak into the Riverside at the confluence of the Mole and Gatwick Stream to end the walk. Walk stats coming soon.
Across more pasture fields to join the realigned section of the Upper Mole.. a fully artificial riparian habitat and biodiversity hotspot but v v muddy path next to river .. needs urgent treatment to improve access for all.
March 5, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Across more pasture fields to join the realigned section of the Upper Mole.. a fully artificial riparian habitat and biodiversity hotspot but v v muddy path next to river .. needs urgent treatment to improve access for all.
Land at end of runway is a strange mix of sheep fields, skylarks, and runway lights .. then into Charlwood a charming place with great attention to recreating a village feel .. spot the new hedge!
March 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Land at end of runway is a strange mix of sheep fields, skylarks, and runway lights .. then into Charlwood a charming place with great attention to recreating a village feel .. spot the new hedge!