River Eea facts for kids

The River Eea is a small river found in the beautiful Lake District area of Cumbria, England. It flows through a region called Furness. This river is quite short, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) long. It starts from many small streams and flows through the Cartmel Valley. The River Eea ends in the Sand Gate marshes near Flookburgh, flowing mostly towards the southwest.

Where Does the River Eea Flow?

The River Eea starts from a spring in the hills, so it always has water flowing. The very beginning of the river is known as Whitestone Beck. As it flows, other streams join it, like Muddypool and Ayside Beck. These streams meet before the river reaches the town of Cartmel.

The river begins near High Cark in Newton Fell. It soon gets more water from Black Beck and Ayside Pool. From there, the River Eea flows past Green Bank, through Cartmel, and then through Cark. Finally, it reaches the Sand Gate Marsh and flows into the estuary of the River Leven. This is near Chapel Island.

Students from the Castle Head Field Studies Centre often visit the River Eea. They study different things about the river, like how fast the water moves, how wide and deep it is, and how clear the water is. They also look at the shape of the pebbles in the river.

What Does "Eea" Mean?

The name "Eea" might come from a few different old words. One idea is that it comes from a Viking word for "eel." This makes sense because many eels gather in the lower part of the river when the tide is high. Another idea is that it comes from an old Cumbrian word "ia," which means "ice." Or, it could come from the Old English word "ēa," which simply means "a river."

What is the River Eea's Ground Like?

The Eea in Whitestone Enclosure, close to where it starts.

On the west side of the area where the river flows, the ground is mostly made of slate rock. But on the east side, there is a lot of limestone. Sometimes, the river can disappear into holes in the limestone, only to reappear later!

Can You Fish in the River Eea?

Yes, you can fish in the River Eea! The river is stocked with brown trout, which means more fish are added for people to catch. You can also find wild brown trout and sea trout living naturally in the river.