River Wheeler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Wheeler |
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|---|---|
| Native name | Afon Chwiler |
| Country | Wales |
| Region | Denbighshire, Flintshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | south of Nannerch |
| River mouth | River Clwyd 53°12′49″N 3°22′44″W / 53.21363°N 3.37896°W |
The River Wheeler is a cool river in north-east Wales. In Welsh, its name is Afon Chwiler. It's a smaller river that flows into the bigger River Clwyd.
The river starts on the east side of the Clwydian Range of hills. It then cuts through these hills in a deep valley. Finally, it reaches the Vale of Clwyd. The River Wheeler joins the River Clwyd near a village called Aberwheeler. The name "Aberwheeler" actually means "the mouth or meeting point of the Wheeler" in Welsh.
You can follow the river's whole journey by driving along the A541 road. This road goes from Mold to Trefnant. A long time ago, a railway line, the Mold and Denbigh Junction Railway, also followed the river. Besides Aberwheeler, the river flows past or very close to the villages of Nannerch, Afon-wen, and Bodfari.
Contents
The Journey of the River Wheeler
The River Wheeler begins its flow high up on the eastern slopes of the Clwydian Range. This range is a series of hills in Wales. From its source, the river carves a path directly westwards.
A "Misfit Stream" Explained
The River Wheeler is sometimes called a "misfit stream." This means it flows in a valley that seems too big for it. Imagine a small stream in a giant ditch! This happens because the valley was carved out by a much larger river or glacier in the past. The current River Wheeler is just a small leftover from that powerful ancient flow.
Where the River Ends
After its journey through the valley, the River Wheeler reaches its end. It flows into the River Clwyd. This meeting point is just west of the village of Aberwheeler. The Clwyd then continues its journey north towards the sea.
The Wheeler Valley's Ancient Past
The valley where the River Wheeler flows has a very interesting history. It was shaped by powerful forces during the last ice age. This was a time when huge sheets of ice covered much of the Earth.
How Ice Shaped the Valley
During the ice age, the Wheeler valley was filled with a lot of glacial meltwater. This is water that comes from melting glaciers and ice sheets. This meltwater carried huge amounts of sand and gravel. As the water flowed, it helped to carve out the deep valley we see today.
Sand and Gravel Today
Because of all that meltwater and the materials it carried, the Wheeler valley is rich in sand and gravel. You can find many places where people dig for these materials. Some of these workings are still active, while others have been left behind. They are a clear reminder of the valley's icy past.
