River Blakewater, Lancashire facts for kids
The River Blakewater is a river that flows through Lancashire, a county in England. It's so important that it even gave its name to the town of Blackburn! This river plays a big part in the local area's history and landscape.
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The River Blakewater: A Journey Through Blackburn
Where the River Begins
The Blakewater starts high up on the moors above a place called Guide, near Blackburn. At first, it's just a small stream known as Knuzden Brook. It flows through the tiny village of Knuzden. After this, near the village of Whitebirk, it officially becomes the River Blakewater. The name "Blakewater" might mean "black water" or "clear water," coming from old English words.
Flowing Through Blackburn
From Whitebirk, the river makes its way through different parts of Blackburn. It passes through areas like Little Harwood, Cob Wall, and Brookhouse. Eventually, it reaches the very heart of Blackburn town centre.
Hidden Under the City
During the time of the Industrial Revolution, many rivers in towns were covered over. This happened to a large part of the Blakewater in Blackburn town centre. It now flows underground in a special tunnel called a culvert. This culvert was changed a lot in the 1960s when the town centre was rebuilt. Today, it runs beneath Ainsworth Street and between Blackburn Cathedral and the Blackburn Bus Station. There are plans to uncover parts of the river in the future. This would allow the Blakewater to flow openly through some areas of the town centre again.
On the western side of Blackburn town centre, the Blakewater continues its journey. It flows under Whalley Banks and through the Redlam area.
Joining Other Rivers
The River Blakewater doesn't flow alone forever. It eventually meets up with the River Darwen. This meeting point is just outside Witton Country Park in Blackburn. The River Darwen then continues its journey. It later joins the larger River Ribble in a place called Walton-le-Dale.
Friends of the River: Tributaries
The Blakewater gets bigger and stronger thanks to other smaller streams that join it. These smaller streams are called tributaries. Besides Knuzden Brook, the Blakewater is joined by Little Harwood Brook, Audley Brook, and Snig Brook.
Snig Brook's Path
Snig Brook starts near Pleckgate and flows south. It passes behind Lammack and close to Four Lane Ends. This brook helps fill the lakes in Corporation Park. From the park, Snig Brook flows west of Montague Street, mostly underground in a culvert. It meets the Blakewater near Nab End.
Audley Brook's Underground Journey
The Audley Brook flows entirely underground in a culvert. It begins near where Audley Hall used to be, north of the Queen's Park area of Blackburn. From there, it flows west. It joins the Blakewater near Darwen Street Bridge. This is where the railway line between Blackburn and Preston crosses Darwen Street.
Little Harwood Brook and Its Helpers
Little Harwood Brook joins the Blakewater at Bastwell. This brook starts near Mickle Hey and flows through Brownhill. It also gets water from two other smaller streams:
- Seven Acre Brook: This brook flows east from Rough Hey. It joins Little Harwood Brook near Blackburn Cemetery, close to Roe Lee. For much of its path, it marks the border between Blackburn with Darwen to the south and the Ribble Valley.
- Royshaw Clough: This stream flows east from near Four Lane Ends.
