River Tib facts for kids
The River Tib is a small river that flows into the River Medlock in Manchester, England. It has flowed completely underground since around 1820 and now runs beneath the busy Manchester city centre. You can find streets like Tib Street (53°29′01″N 2°14′05″W / 53.4837°N 2.2348°W) and Tib Lane, which are named after this hidden waterway.
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What is the River Tib?
The River Tib is a secret river because it flows entirely underground. It's like a hidden pathway beneath the streets and buildings of Manchester. Even though you can't see it, it's an important part of the city's history and how it grew.
A River Through History
For a long time, the River Tib was very important to Manchester.
- During the time of the Roman Empire, the Tib marked the edge of the Roman settlement called Mamucium.
- It continued to be a boundary for Manchester right up until the Middle Ages.
- The river also provided fresh drinking water for the people living there.
How Did the Tib Get Its Name?
There are a couple of interesting ideas about how the River Tib got its name:
- One idea is that Roman soldiers, who might have missed their home, named it after the famous Tiber River in Rome. They might have shortened the name to "Tib" to show how much smaller this river was compared to the mighty Tiber!
- Another idea is that the name comes from an old Celtic word that simply means "watercourse" or "river."
Where Does the Tib Flow?
The River Tib starts from a spring in an area called Miles Platting (53°29′36″N 2°13′08″W / 53.493251°N 2.218797°W). From there, it travels underground beneath Oldham Road and Tib Street, making its way into the city centre.
After passing under West Mosley Street, the Tib crosses Princess Street. It then flows beneath some very well-known buildings in Manchester, including:
- The Manchester Town Hall Extension
- The Central Library
- The dining room of the Midland Hotel
Finally, the River Tib joins the River Medlock at a place called Gaythorn, which is now known as First Street (53°28′23″N 2°14′52″W / 53.473164°N 2.247663°W), close to Deansgate railway station.
The Tib and the Rochdale Canal
Did you know that parts of the Rochdale Canal can actually be emptied into the River Tib? Near Lock 89, which is also known as Tib Lock, there's a small, original wooden trap door. This door was put in place when the canal was built. If you open it, water from the canal can flow directly into the underground River Tib! Lock 89 was one of the first nine locks on the canal that opened way back in 1800.
