River Valency facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Valency |
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River Valency at Newmills
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| Country | England |
| Region | Cornwall |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | near Otterham Station 275 m (902 ft) 50°40′12″N 4°37′04″W / 50.6701°N 4.6178°W |
| River mouth | Atlantic Ocean Boscastle 0 m (0 ft) 50°41′32″N 4°41′57″W / 50.6921°N 4.6993°W |
| Length | 8.3 km (5.2 mi) |
The River Valency (which is Dowr an Velinji in Cornish) is a short river in northern Cornwall, England. It has many small streams that flow into it. After flowing past Lesnewth, the river cuts through a valley. It then enters the sea at the harbour of Boscastle village. One of its smaller streams is called the Jordan. The Jordan flows about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) north. It joins the Valency in Boscastle just before the B3263 road bridge.
About the River Valency
The River Valency is not very long, only about 8.3 kilometers (5.2 miles). It starts near Otterham Station. From there, it flows downhill, collecting water from many small streams. The river's journey ends when it reaches the Atlantic Ocean at Boscastle.
The Valency Valley
The valley where the Valency River flows has very steep sides. The lower parts of the valley are covered with trees. This shape means that when there is a lot of rain, the water can rush down quickly.
The Big Flood of 2004
The Valency Valley has experienced floods many times. The most serious flood happened in Boscastle on August 16, 2004. Heavy rain fell for about seven hours that afternoon. This caused the river to overflow its banks very badly. The flood caused a lot of damage to buildings and the river's path. It was a very big event for the small village.
What's in a Name?
The name Valency comes from an old Cornish word. It is thought to be a changed version of Melinjy. This word means "Mill-house" in Cornish. This suggests there was a mill (a building that grinds grain) along the river a long time ago, in medieval times.
