Rea Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rea Brook |
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Rea Brook near Malehurst
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| Other name(s) | Meole Brook |
| Country | England |
| Counties | Shropshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Marton Pool 101 m (331 ft) 52°37′05″N 3°02′24″W / 52.618°N 3.040°W |
| River mouth | Confluence with River Severn Shrewsbury, Shropshire 47 m (154 ft) 52°42′21″N 2°44′48″W / 52.7058°N 2.7468°W |
| Length | 40 km (25 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Rea Brook is a small river in Shropshire, England. There are actually two different brooks in Shropshire with a similar name. The one we are learning about here is a minor river that starts at Marton Pool. This is a lake near the border between Wales and England.
The Rea Brook flows for about 40 kilometers (25 miles). It passes through several villages like Minsterley, Pontesbury, and Bayston Hill. Finally, it reaches the town of Shrewsbury. In Shrewsbury, it joins the much larger River Severn. The Rea Brook is well-known in Shropshire for its amazing wildlife, including otters and kingfishers. A long time ago, it was called the "Meole Brook." This old name is still used in the names of two villages near Shrewsbury: Meole Brace and Cruckmeole.
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Where Does Rea Brook Flow?
The Rea Brook begins its journey at Marton Pool. From there, it flows mostly towards the northeast. It winds its way through the countryside, passing by many small communities.
Some of the villages it flows past include:
- Minsterley
- Pontesbury
- Hanwood
- Hook-a-Gate
- Bayston Hill
When the brook reaches Shrewsbury, it flows into the River Severn. This meeting point is near a place called Coleham Head.
Wildlife and Nature
The Rea Brook is a special place for nature lovers. It's home to many different kinds of animals and plants. You might be lucky enough to spot otters playing in the water. Kingfishers, with their bright blue and orange feathers, are also often seen diving for fish.
The brook's environment has changed over time. In the early 2000s, people noticed fewer coarse fish (like carp or roach) in the brook. Experts from the Environment Agency think this is because the brook changed. It used to be a wide, slow-moving river, but it became faster flowing. However, there are still plenty of salmonid fish, which are types of fish related to salmon and trout.
Rea Brook Valley Country Park
As the Rea Brook flows into Shrewsbury, it goes through a special area called the Reabrook Valley Country Park. This park was made a local nature reserve in 1994. A local nature reserve is a place protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
The valley is famous for its unique plants and animals. Besides otters, you can find rare orchids growing there. Orchids are beautiful flowers that are not common in this part of Shropshire.
Flooding and Changes
The Rea Brook has flooded several times in recent history. Big floods happened in 2000, 2007, and 2010. Flooding can cause a lot of damage to homes and businesses.
After the severe flooding in 2000, people looked for ways to prevent future floods. One idea was to build a tunnel and a culvert (a pipe or channel) to move water away from the Rea Brook. This would have sent the water into the River Severn further downstream, away from Shrewsbury. However, this project would have been very expensive. It would have used up all the money saved for flood defenses in the town, so the idea was not used.
In 2007, a flood destroyed a bridge over the Rea Brook. The bridge was rebuilt in 2008. During the repairs, archaeologists (people who study old things) looked at an old channel next to the brook. This channel was called a "leat" or "mill race." It had been there since the Middle Ages and was used to power water mills. At the time of the flood, it was no longer in use. To fix the bridge, the Rea Brook was temporarily moved into this old leat.
The Name "Rea"
The name "Rea" can be pronounced in a couple of ways. Some people say it like "REE," while others say it like "RAY." For the Rea Brook in Shrewsbury, most local people say it like "REE."
It's thought that the "RAY" pronunciation might have come from people who moved to Shropshire from Birmingham. There's another River Rea in Birmingham, and it's pronounced "RAY."
