Clyne River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clyne River |
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An 18th Century bridge called the Roman Bridge crosses the river near its mouth at Blackpill, in western Swansea.
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| Native name | Afon Clun |
| Country | United Kingdom, Wales |
| Region | South Wales, United Kingdom |
| Cities | Three Crosses, Dunvant, Killay, Blackpill |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Fairwood Common, Swansea, Wales |
| Length | 8.0 km (5.0 mi) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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The Clyne River (also known as Afon Clun in Welsh) is a lovely river located in Swansea, south Wales. It stretches for about 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometers) and flows through the beautiful Clyne Valley Country Park for most of its journey. This river is an important part of the local environment and history.
The River's Journey
The Clyne River starts from several natural springs on the edge of Fairwood Common. This area is found between the towns of Three Crosses and Dunvant. From there, the river flows towards the southeast. It passes very close to the western parts of Swansea.
Many smaller streams join the Clyne River along its path. The biggest of these comes from the area of Sketty. However, none of these joining streams have their own names. The Clyne River eventually reaches the sea at the seaside village of Blackpill.
Some people think the river itself is the "Black Pill" that gave the village its name. But this is not true. The actual "Black Pill" is a separate, smaller stream located to the west of the Clyne River.
A Look at History
For a long time, up until the Victorian era, people used the Clyne River to power watermills. These mills helped with different tasks using the river's flow. The river was quite far from the busy industrial areas of Swansea. This meant it didn't get as much pollution from the city's docks and copper factories.
Sadly, pollution in Swansea Bay once made it hard for fish to swim up the river. This was a problem even though the river itself was a good home for them. The large oyster beds, which gave the area of Oystermouth its name, also disappeared. Many birds that used to come to the river mouth to find food also went away.
However, things have changed for the better! The water quality in Swansea Bay has greatly improved. Because of this, fish and birds are now returning to the river in large numbers.
Nature and Environment
The valley around the Clyne River is very old, formed during the Ice Age. It has steep sides and is covered in trees. This valley is home to many different types of plants and animals. You can find woodlands, grassy areas, and wetlands here.
The valley also shows signs of its past. People have found things like a Bronze Age axe-head in Clyne Wood. This axe-head is now kept in the Swansea Museum. There are also old remains from World War II defences along the path of an old railway line. This railway used to connect South and North Wales.
Today, the old railway track has been turned into a bike path by Swansea Council. It's part of the Clyne Valley Country Park. This path connects the Swansea Bay Bike Path to Gowerton, making it a great place for cycling.
While the Clyne Valley is beautiful, it can also be tricky. There's a "lake" halfway up the valley that is 16 feet deep. When it rains a lot, the Clyne River can flood parts of the valley floor. This creates deep, muddy areas that are hard to cross. Also, some of the old industrial remains are not stable, so it's important to be careful. It's also easy to get lost in the thick woods.
Images for kids
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The river's mouth at Swansea Bay frequently attracts birds who catch their food there.
