List of tributaries of the River Ribble facts for kids

The River Ribble is a major river in northern England. It flows through beautiful landscapes in Lancashire and North Yorkshire. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that flows into a larger river. Think of it like branches joining a main tree trunk! The River Ribble has many tributaries that feed into it along its journey to the sea. These smaller rivers and streams help make the Ribble the big river it is.

What is a Tributary?

A tributary is also called a "feeder stream" or "affluent." It's a stream or river that flows into a larger main stream or a lake. The place where a tributary joins the main river is called a confluence. Tributaries don't flow directly into the ocean. They are part of a larger river system or watershed. All the water from a watershed eventually flows into one main river.

The River Ribble's Journey: From Source to Sea

The River Ribble starts high up in the Yorkshire Dales and flows west. It travels about 75 miles (120 km) before reaching the Irish Sea. Along its way, many smaller rivers and streams join it. These tributaries bring water from the surrounding hills and valleys. This makes the Ribble grow wider and stronger as it moves towards the coast.

Rivers Joining Near the Sea

Near the mouth of the Ribble, where it meets the sea, several important waterways join it. This area is close to the city of Preston.

A Tidal bore on the Ribble. This is a wave that travels up the river from the sea.

From the Estuary to Douglas River

As the Ribble gets closer to the sea, it becomes an estuary. This is where fresh river water mixes with salty seawater. Many smaller drains and brooks flow into the Ribble here. Some of these include Crossens Pool and the Three Pools Waterway. These help drain water from the flat, low-lying land nearby.

The River Douglas Watershed

One of the biggest rivers to join the Ribble in this section is the River Douglas. The Douglas itself has many tributaries, forming its own large watershed.

• The River Yarrow is a major tributary of the Douglas.
  • The River Lostock flows into the Yarrow.
• The River Tawd is another river that joins the Douglas.

These rivers collect water from a wide area before flowing into the Ribble.

From Douglas to Preston

After the Douglas, other streams continue to join the Ribble as it flows towards Preston.

• Freckleton Pool is one of these, with its own smaller streams like Dow Brook.
• The Ribble Link is a special canal that connects the Ribble to other waterways. It joins the Ribble via Savick Brook.
• Other brooks like Mill Brook and The Mains Brook also add their water.

Rivers Joining Near Preston

The River Darwen is a significant tributary that joins the Ribble near Preston.

The River Darwen Watershed

The River Darwen starts in the hills and flows through towns like Darwen and Blackburn. It has many streams that feed into it.

• The River Roddlesworth is a key tributary of the Darwen.
• The River Blakewater also flows into the Darwen.
  • This river has smaller streams like Snig Brook and Audley Brook.

All these waters combine in the Darwen before it meets the Ribble.

Rivers Joining Further Upstream

As the Ribble continues its journey inland, more rivers and brooks add to its flow. This section covers the area from Preston up to a place called Whalley.

Smaller Brooks in the Middle Section

Many smaller brooks join the Ribble directly in this area. These include Swill Brook, Bezza Brook, and Tun Brook.

• Stydd Brook is another notable one, with its own smaller branches like Boyce's Brook.
• Dinckley Brook also contributes water to the Ribble.

Rivers Joining in the Upper Reaches

Higher up the Ribble, closer to its source, even more rivers join. These areas are often more rural and hilly.

The River Calder Watershed

The River Calder is a very important tributary of the Ribble. It's a large river in its own right, with many tributaries of its own.

• Sabden Brook flows into the Calder.
• Hyndburn Brook is another major tributary of the Calder.
  • The River Hyndburn itself has streams like Church Brook and Accrington Brook.
• Green Brook also joins the Calder.
• Pendle Water is a significant tributary of the Calder.
  • Walverden Water and Colne Water are major streams that flow into Pendle Water.
    • Trawden Brook and River Laneshaw are part of the Colne Water system.
    • Wycoller Beck is another stream joining Colne Water.
• River Brun is another river that joins the Calder.
  • The River Don flows into the Brun.

The Calder and its many branches collect a huge amount of water before joining the Ribble.

The River Hodder Watershed

The River Hodder is another large tributary that joins the Ribble in its upper parts. It flows through the beautiful Forest of Bowland.

• River Loud is a key tributary of the Hodder.
• Langden Brook is another important stream flowing into the Hodder.
  • Trough Brook is a stream within the Langden Brook system.
• River Dunsop is a major tributary of the Hodder.
  • The Brennand River and Whitendale River flow into the Dunsop.

The Hodder and its network of streams are vital for the Ribble's water supply.

Rivers Joining Further Upstream to Paythorne

As the Ribble continues upstream towards Paythorne, more local brooks join.

• Barrow Brook and Pendleton Brook are examples.
  • Mearley Brook flows into Pendleton Brook.
• Bashall Brook is another, with streams like Hollins Clough.
• Waddington Brook and Grindleton Brook also contribute.
• Skirden Beck is a significant beck (a small stream) in this area.
  • Holden Beck and Kirk Beck are some of its branches.

Rivers Joining from Paythorne to the Source

Finally, as the Ribble gets very close to its source, it's fed by smaller becks and gills (another word for small streams).

• Stock Beck is one of the last major tributaries before the source.
• East Beck and Ray Gill are other streams.
• Long Preston Beck and Wigglesworth Beck also join here.
• Stainforth Beck is another important one, with Catrigg Beck flowing into it.

The Ribble's Beginnings: Cam Beck and Gayle Beck

The River Ribble officially begins where two main streams meet. These are Cam Beck and Gayle Beck.

• Cam Beck (also known as Ling Gill Beck) is one of the starting points. It has many small gills and sikes (streams) flowing into it, like Brow Gill Beck and Labour Gill.
• Gayle Beck is the other main starting stream. It also has many small gills joining it, such as Axletree Gill and Long Gill.

When Cam Beck and Gayle Beck meet, they form the mighty River Ribble, which then begins its long journey to the sea, collecting water from all its many tributaries along the way!

Images for kids

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  A tidal bore wave moves along the River Ribble between the entrance to the river Douglas and Preston.