"The Effra vanished underground 150 years back, leaving just a few legends and a nagging fascination. This willow-fringed haunt of eels and herons had been transformed by unregulated suburban development from a small river into a large sewer until finally it was covered over. Yet it still flows below South London and, just occasionally, it still floods. River Effra, South London's secret spine tells its story from geology through social, environmental and engineering history to its enduring presence today. Richly illustrated with historic images, contemporary photographs and maps, it includes a detailed itinerary for anyone still wishing to follow its ghost."--Cover.