River Spen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Spen |
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Spen River running east through Millbridge, Liversedge into Heckmondwike
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| Country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Confluence of Hunsworth Beck and Nann Hall Beck in Cleckheaton 81 metres (266 ft) 53°43′59″N 1°43′05″W / 53.73306°N 1.71806°W |
| River mouth | River Calder at Dewsbury 42 metres (138 ft) 53°40′49″N 1°39′4″W / 53.68028°N 1.65111°W |
| Length | 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 46.3 square kilometres (17.9 sq mi) |
The River Spen, also known as Spen Beck, is a small river in West Yorkshire, England. It's like a smaller stream that flows into a bigger river called the River Calder. The Spen starts near Cleckheaton, flows through towns like Liversedge, and then joins the Calder near Dewsbury.
Because the Spen Valley gets a lot of rain (600–1000mm each year) and the river channel is narrow, the River Spen can flood quite often. This means the water level can rise quickly after heavy rain.
Contents
The River's Journey: Where Does the Spen Flow?
The River Spen officially begins where two smaller streams, Hunsworth Beck and Nann Hall Beck, meet in Cleckheaton. From there, it flows south, passing by old factories and next to a disused railway line.
As it continues, the river turns southeast when it reaches the edge of Liversedge. It then flows through the busy parts of the town before turning south again near Heckmondwike. Finally, on the edge of Ravensthorpe, it turns southeast one last time before joining the larger River Calder.
Nature Along the River Spen: Plants and Wildlife
The River Spen flows mostly through towns and cities. In the past, it had problems with pollution from sewage and factories. However, since 1999, the amount of pollution has gone down a lot, which is great news for the river! Even so, heavy rain can still wash litter and other pollutants into the water.
You can find many different plants growing along the riverbanks. Some of these are not native to the area, like giant hogweed, Himalayan balsam, and Japanese knotweed. These plants can sometimes take over from native species.
In the green areas between the towns, you'll also see lots of native plants. These include Bistort, wild garlic, nettles, and dandelions. These plants add to the natural beauty of the river valley.
Fun Along the River: The Spen Valley Greenway
A really cool feature near the River Spen is the Spen Valley Greenway. This used to be a railway line, but now it's a path for walking and cycling. It's part of National Cycle Route 66 and stretches from Dewsbury to Oakenshaw near Bradford.
As you travel along the greenway, you'll discover some interesting artworks. One famous piece is A Flock of Swaledale Sheep, made from old industrial metal by an artist named Sally Matthews. Another artwork is Rotate by Trudi Entwistle, which features 40 giant steel hoops arranged in a circle. It's a great place to explore and enjoy art outdoors!
River Spen Facts: Tributaries, Towns, and Crossings
The River Spen has several smaller streams that flow into it, called tributaries. It also passes through a few towns and has many bridges crossing over it.
Tributaries of the River Spen
- Finching Dike
- Canker Dyke
Towns Along the River Spen
- Cleckheaton
- Liversedge
- Heckmondwike
- Ravensthorpe
Bridges Over the River Spen
- A643, Cleckheaton
- Thornton Street, Cleckheaton
- A638, Rawfolds Bridge, Cleckheaton
- Cartwright Street, Cleckheaton
- Primrose Lane, Cleckheaton
- Radulf Gardens, Liversedge
- Knowler Hill, Liversedge
- Valley Road, Liversedge
- A62, Liversedge
- A649, Wakefiled Road, Liversedge
- Wormald Street, Liversedge
- Union Street, Liversedge
- Beck Lane, Liversedge
- Smithies Bridge, Station Lane, Liversedge
- A644, Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe
Images for kids
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Spen River running east through Millbridge, Liversedge into Heckmondwike
