River Wandle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wandle |
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River Wandle in Morden Hall Park
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| Country | England |
| Counties | Greater London |
| Districts / Boroughs | Croydon, Sutton, Lambeth, Merton, Wandsworth |
| Towns | Merton, Morden, Earlsfield, Wandsworth |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Waddon Ponds & Carshalton Ponds 35 m (115 ft) |
| River mouth | River Thames Wandsworth |
| Length | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Discharge (location 2) |
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| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The River Wandle is a cool river in south-east England. It flows right through southwest London.
Rain falls on the North Downs hills. This water then soaks through the chalk rock. It comes out as springs, which are the start of the river. You can first see the river at Wandle Park in Croydon.
The Wandle then flows through several parts of London. These include the London Boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, Merton, and Wandsworth. Finally, it joins the mighty River Thames in Wandsworth. The River Wandle is about 14 kilometers (9 to 11 miles) long.
Contents
History of the River Wandle
People have used the River Wandle for a very long time. It was important even in Roman times. In the 17th and 18th centuries, many factories and mills were built along its banks. This made it one of the busiest rivers for industry in the world.
The River's Working Past
During the Victorian era, the Wandle was an incredibly hard-working river. It powered 68 water wheels! These wheels helped run many different businesses. Today, only a few of these old water wheels are still around. One example is at Merton Abbey Mills.
Protecting the River Wandle
In 2007, there was an accident where a cleaning chemical entered the river. This happened at a water treatment plant. Sadly, over 2,000 fish died because of it. The company responsible did not tell the Environment Agency right away.
Luckily, people have worked hard to clean up the Wandle. This has made the water much better. Because of these efforts, the river's famous brown trout are returning. Other fish are also doing well now. You can find chub, roach, and perch thriving again. Some popular spots for angling (fishing) are near Colliers Wood.
Wildlife in and Around the Wandle
The improved water quality means more animals can live here. You might spot water voles, otters, and common toads. The grey heron is also a common sight.
- Water voles are small rodents that like to live near rivers.
- Otters are top predators in the river. They mostly eat fish.
- Grey herons are large birds that stand still in the water, waiting to catch fish.
The river's flow is managed by people. It has artificial channels and ditches. Some parts of the river even flow underground.
Images for kids
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Carshalton Pond, London Borough of Sutton
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River Wandle at Beddington Park in the London Borough of Sutton
See also
In Spanish: Río Wandle para niños
