River Eden, Cumbria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eden |
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The Eden at Appleby-in-Westmorland
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The River Eden is highlighted in red
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| Other name(s) | Ituna (Roman name) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Constituent country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Black Fell Moss, Mallerstang 670 m (2,200 ft) 54°23′37″N 2°18′05″W / 54.3936°N 2.3014°W |
| River mouth | Solway Firth Bowness-on-Solway 0 m (0 ft) 54°57′20″N 3°19′31″W / 54.9556°N 3.3252°W |
| Length | 145 km (90 mi) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Tributaries | |
The River Eden is a beautiful river in England. It flows through the Eden District in Cumbria before reaching the Solway Firth. It's about 145 kilometers (81 miles) long!
Contents
What's in a Name? The River Eden's Story
The Romans knew this river as the Itouna. This name comes from an old Celtic word. It means "water" or "rushing." So, the river's name is not connected to the famous biblical Garden of Eden.
Where Does the River Eden Flow?
The River Eden begins high up in a marshy area called Black Fell Moss. This spot is in Mallerstang, between two hills called High Seat and Hugh Seat. It even forms part of the border between Cumbria and North Yorkshire. Did you know two other big rivers, the River Swale and River Ure, also start very close by?
The Eden starts as a tiny stream called Red Gill Beck. Then it becomes Hell Gill Beck. After that, it joins with Ais Gill Beck and officially becomes the River Eden. There's a cool waterfall called Hell Gill Force right before it meets Ais Gill Beck. It's the highest waterfall on the river's journey!
As the river flows, it passes through a valley called Mallerstang. This valley later opens up into the wider Vale of Eden. The river goes through towns like Kirkby Stephen and Appleby-in-Westmorland. Many smaller streams and rivers join it along the way. Some come from the Pennines mountains to the east. Others, like the River Lyvennet, River Leith, and River Eamont, come from the Lake District to the west. The River Eamont even flows through Ullswater before joining the Eden near Penrith.
Further north, the Eden used to mark the eastern edge of a large forest called Inglewood Forest. It flows near an ancient stone circle known as Long Meg and Her Daughters. The river then winds through quiet farming areas on the Solway Plain. Near Wetheral, it goes under the impressive Corby Bridge. This is a very old railway bridge built in 1834.
As it gets closer to the sea, the River Eden meets more rivers. The River Irthing joins from the east. Then the River Petteril and River Caldew join from the south as it flows through Carlisle. The spot where the River Caldew meets the Eden in north Carlisle is important. It's where Hadrian's Wall crosses the Eden. Both the wall and the river end just five miles later at the tidal flats. Finally, the River Eden flows into the Solway Firth, near where the River Esk also meets the sea.
Amazing Wildlife in the River Eden
The River Eden is home to some special animals. You can find Atlantic salmon (a type of fish) and Eurasian otters (cute, playful mammals) living here. Because these animals are important, the river and its smaller streams are protected. They are called a Special Area of Conservation under a European Union rule called the Habitats Directive. This means people work hard to keep the river healthy for the wildlife. Even Ullswater, a famous lake, is part of this protected area.
See also
In Spanish: Río Eden para niños
