River Looe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Looe |
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River Looe in Looe
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Sketchmap of the East Looe and West Looe rivers in Cornwall
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| Other name(s) | East Looe River, West Looe River |
| Country | England |
| State | Cornwall |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Length | 30.48 mi (49.05 km) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 36.3 sq mi (94 km2) |
The River Looe (Cornish: Logh, meaning deep water inlet) is a river in south-east Cornwall, England. It flows into the English Channel at the town of Looe. This river is special because it has two main parts: the East Looe River and the West Looe River.
The East Looe River starts near St Cleer. It begins very close to the River Fowey and its Golitha Falls. This branch flows south, passing near the town of Liskeard. The West Looe River starts near Dobwalls.
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What Makes the River Looe Special?
The River Looe is unique because it's actually two rivers that join together. They both flow into the sea at the same place. This creates a busy harbour and estuary.
How Long is the River Looe?
When you add the lengths of both the East Looe and West Looe rivers, plus the part where they join, the total length is about 49.05 kilometers (30.48 miles).
The River's Tidal Zones
The river's water level changes a lot with the tides. This means the sea's water flows far up the river. The West Looe River is tidal up to a place called Watergate. The East Looe River is tidal up to Sandplace.
What is a Ria?
The lower part of the River Looe is a great example of a "Ria." A Ria is a river valley that has been "drowned" by the sea. This happens when sea levels rise and fill the valley. At low tide, the river looks very small, almost drying up.
The River and the Railway
South of Liskeard, the Looe Valley Line railway track runs right next to the East Looe River. The railway is so close to the river that sometimes the river floods. This can cause delays or even stop the trains.
River Looe's History with Canals
After Sandplace, the East Looe River used to be connected to the Liskeard and Looe Union Canal. This canal was built a long time ago. It helped transport minerals and stone from mines and quarries near Liskeard. These materials were then moved to the harbour at Looe. From there, they could be shipped out to other places.
