Cusher River facts for kids

Cusher River in Clare Glen near Tandragee

The Cusher River is a river located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It begins near Mountnorris where two smaller streams, the Creggan and the Blackwater, join together. The river then flows past the town of Tandragee before meeting the River Bann about one mile upstream from Portadown.

The Cusher River plays an important role in the local waterways. Near Portadown, it connects with the Newry Canal, which was the first inland canal built in the British Isles. The Cusher River helped supply water to the lower parts of this canal system. There's a special place called the Point of Whitecoat where three waterways meet: the River Bann, the Cusher River, and the Newry Canal.

The Cusher River's Role in History

In the 1800s, the Cusher River was very important for local industries. Many mills were built along its banks, especially around the Tandragee area. These mills used the river's water power to operate. There were large flax mills, which processed flax to make linen, as well as mills that ground flour, oats, and corn.

Protecting the Cusher River's Wildlife

Rivers like the Cusher are home to many different kinds of fish and other wildlife. It's important to keep rivers clean so these animals can thrive. Unfortunately, sometimes pollution can harm river ecosystems. For example, in June 2008, near Tandragee, hundreds of fish, including trout and roach, sadly died because harmful substances entered the Cusher River. This shows why it's so important to protect our rivers from pollution and keep them healthy for all the creatures that live there.