River Croal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Croal |
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River Croal at Little Lever
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| Country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | the confluence of Middle Brook and Deane Church Brook |
| River mouth | confluence with River Irwell 53°33′0″N 2°22′57″W / 53.55000°N 2.38250°W |
| Length | 10 mi (16 km) |
The River Croal is a river found in Greater Manchester, England. It is a smaller river that flows into the larger River Irwell.
Contents
Where the River Croal Begins
The River Croal starts when two smaller streams, Middle Brook and Deane Church Brook, join together. From there, it flows towards the east, passing through the town of Bolton.
Along its journey, the Croal collects water from other streams. It meets Gilnow Brook and a bigger river called the River Tonge at a place called Darcy Lever.
Hidden Under the Town
A large part of the River Croal actually flows underground through the center of Bolton. It runs beneath streets like Knowsley Street, Market Place, and Bridge Street. This is called being "culverted," which means it's covered over by pipes or tunnels.
The River's Name and History
The name of the River Croal comes from old English words. Croh means "winding" and wella means "stream." So, the name means "the winding stream."
Some people think it might have originally been called the Middlebrook along its whole length. Older records mention the Mikelbrok, which means "the great stream," but they don't mention the Croal.
Before the year 1836, the River Croal was an important boundary. It marked the edge between two areas called Great and Little Bolton.
Where the River Croal Ends
The River Croal flows for about ten miles (around 16 kilometers) in total. It finally meets the River Irwell at a place called Nob End in Kearsley.
Streams That Join the Croal
Many smaller streams flow into the River Croal, adding to its water. These are called tributaries. Some of them include:
- Doe Hey Brook
- Blackshaw Brook
- River Tonge (which itself has streams like Bradshaw Brook, Astley Brook, and Eagley Brook)
- Middle Brook (which has Bessy Brook and Knutshaw Brook)
- Deane Church Brook
