The River Meon is a chalk stream in Hampshire in the south of England. It rises at East Meon then flows 34 km (21 mi) in a generally southerly direction to empty into the Solent at Hill Head near Stubbington. Above Wickham, the river runs through the South Downs National Park.
River Meon Spring
1. East Meon
2. The Meon at Warnford
3. Bridge over River Meon at Soberton
Chalk streams are rivers that rise from springs in landscapes with chalk bedrock. Since chalk is permeable, water percolates easily through the ground to the water table and chalk streams therefore receive little surface runoff. As a result, the water in the streams contains little organic matter and sediment and is generally very clear.
The River Bourne at Winterbourne Gunner, a typical chalk stream
Commercial watercress production near New Alresford in Hampshire