River Severn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Severn |
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| Welsh: Afon Hafren | |
| River | |
 The Severn at Shrewsbury from Shrewsbury Castle.
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| Countries | United Kingdom, (Wales, England) |
|---|---|
| Regions | Mid Wales, West Midlands, South West |
| Administrative areas |
Powys, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire |
| Tributaries | |
| - left | Vyrnwy, Tern, Stour, Warwickshire Avon, Bristol Avon |
| - right | Teme, Leadon, Wye |
| Cities | Shrewsbury, Worcester, Gloucester, Bristol |
| Landmarks | Ironbridge Gorge, Severn Valley, Severn Bore, Severn crossing |
| Source | |
| - location | Plynlimon, Ceredigion, Wales |
| - elevation | 610 m (2,001 ft) |
| - coordinates | 52°29′36″N 3°44′04″W / 52.493465°N 3.734578°W |
| Mouth | Severn Estuary |
| - location | Bristol Channel, United Kingdom |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 354 km (220 mi) |
| Basin | 11,420 km² (4,409 sq mi) |
| Discharge | for Bewdley, Worcs. |
| - average | 61.17 m³/s (2,160 cu ft/s) |
| - max | 533.48 m³/s (18,840 cu ft/s) max recorded on 1947-03-21 |
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain. It stretches for about 354 kilometers (220 miles). The river starts high up in the Cambrian Mountains in mid Wales.
From there, it flows through several English counties. These include Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. Important towns like Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester are located along its banks. The Severn carries more water than any other river in England and Wales.
The river eventually widens into the Severn Estuary. This happens after the Second Severn Crossing, a large bridge. The estuary then flows into the Bristol Channel, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The area of land that drains water into the Severn is huge. It covers about 11,420 square kilometers (4,410 sq mi). This area does not include the River Wye and the River Avon, which join the Severn Estuary separately.
Contents
Where Does the River Severn Begin?
The River Severn begins its journey in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Its source is on a mountain called Plynlimon. This spot is about 610 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level. From this high point, tiny streams combine to form the mighty river.
What Towns and Cities Does the Severn Flow Through?
As the River Severn travels, it passes through many important places.
- Shrewsbury is a historic town in Shropshire. The river loops around it, almost forming an island.
- Worcester is known for its beautiful cathedral. The Severn flows right past this famous building.
- Gloucester is a port city, even though it's far from the sea. The river is very wide here.
- Bristol is a major city near where the Severn meets the sea. It has a busy port.
What Are the Main Rivers That Join the Severn?
Many smaller rivers flow into the River Severn. These are called tributaries. They add more water to the main river.
- Some rivers that join from the left side include the Vyrnwy, Tern, Stour, Warwickshire Avon, and Bristol Avon.
- Rivers that join from the right side include the Teme, Leadon, and Wye.
What Is the Severn Bore?
The Severn Bore is a special natural event. It is a large tidal wave that travels up the river. This happens when the tide from the Bristol Channel rushes into the narrow Severn Estuary. The wave can be quite tall and fast. People often come to watch or even surf the bore.
Images for kids
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Post marked as the source of the River Severn on Plynlimon, Wales. The wording is in both English and Welsh.
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Worcester Cathedral overlooking the Severn
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High Town, Bridgnorth.
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The Welsh Bridge (background) and Frankwell Footbridge (foreground) in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
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The Severn bridged by the A49 road just outside Shrewsbury. The village of Uffington, Shropshire is in the foreground.
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Tewkesbury during the 2007 floods
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Navigation light on Chapel Rock near Beachley
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The Severn bridges crossing near the mouth of the River Severn
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Bore hitting the riverbank in 1994
See also
In Spanish: Río Severn (Reino Unido) para niños
