River Lostock facts for kids

Ford and bridge over the River Lostock at Cuerden Valley Park

The River Lostock is a river in Lancashire, England. It flows through many towns and villages, like Whittle-le-Woods and Leyland. This river is an important part of the local environment. It eventually joins another river called the River Yarrow.

Where Does the River Lostock Start?

The River Lostock begins where two smaller streams meet. These streams are called Slack Brook and Whave's Brook. This meeting point is near a place called Miller Wood, close to Withnell Fold.

The Journey of Slack Brook

Slack Brook starts near Thorpe Green, just outside the village of Brindle. It collects water from the area around Brindle.

The Journey of Whave's Brook

Whave's Brook begins near Brimmicroft. It flows south, running almost next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Another stream, Laund Brook, joins Whave's Brook. Laund Brook comes from near Withnell.

The River's Path Through Lancashire

After starting, the River Lostock flows alongside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It goes past Lower Copthurst. Then, it turns west and flows through Whittle-le-Woods.

Next, the river turns north near Clayton-le-Woods. It then runs through the beautiful Cuerden Valley Park.

Joining Other Streams

The River Lostock is joined by Clayton Brook. This stream drains the village of Clayton. The river then moves west, going around Lostock Hall.

It then flows southwest, past Farington. It also goes through the western parts of Leyland. Here, it collects water from two more streams: Mill Brook (from Worden Park) and Hollin's Brook. Hollin's Brook drains an area called Runshaw Moor.

Finally, the river turns west again towards Croston. It picks up Wymott Brook, which comes from near Midge Hall. Soon after, the River Lostock joins the River Yarrow.

What Does "Lostock" Mean?

The name "Lostock" might come from old words. It could be linked to a settlement name, like Lostock Hall. Some experts think it comes from an old English word. This word, hlōse-, means "a pig-sty." The second part, -stoc, means "a place" or "a smaller settlement."

Another idea is that the name comes from an old British language. The word lost in that language meant "a tail." This might describe how the river looks. It could also be related to a word for "beaver."

How Healthy is the River Lostock's Water?

The Environment Agency checks the water quality of rivers in England. They give each river a score for its overall health. This score can be high, good, moderate, poor, or bad.

Checking River Health

Scientists look at several things to decide the river's health:

• Biological Status: They check the types and numbers of tiny creatures (like invertebrates), plants (like flowering plants), and fish living in the river.
• Chemical Status: They test the water for different chemicals. They compare the levels of these chemicals to safe amounts. This status is either good or fail.

River Lostock's Water Quality in 2016

In 2016, parts of the River Lostock had a "moderate" overall health score. The chemical status was "good."

The reasons why the water quality was not "good" include:

• Sewage Discharge: Sometimes, treated wastewater from homes can enter the river.
• Physical Changes: The river channel itself has been changed by people. This can affect how the river flows and its natural environment.
• Farm Runoff: Poor management of nutrients on farms can lead to too many chemicals flowing into the river.