The Mermaid (river) facts for kids
The Mermaid River is a small but important river in Norfolk, England. It's like a little helper stream that eventually joins a bigger river called the River Bure. The Mermaid River is about 6 kilometers (or almost 4 miles) long. Even though it's not very big, it plays a role in the local environment and landscape.
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Where Does the Mermaid River Flow?
The Mermaid River begins its journey in the southwest part of Aylsham. It starts near a village called Cawston. From there, the river flows towards the east.
River's Path and Features
As it travels, the Mermaid River passes through two calm bodies of water, which are like small lakes. One of these is known as Stourton Water. After these still waters, the river continues through wide-open fields and farmland.
The river then flows under a main road, the A140, near a village called Marsham. After this, it enters the beautiful grounds of Bolwick Hall. Long ago, the river was blocked here to create a lake. This lake helped power a watermill at Bolwick, which would have been used for grinding grain.
Joining the River Bure
Continuing its journey eastward, the Mermaid River goes under the Bure Valley Railway. This is a fun, narrow-gauge railway that often has steam trains. Finally, the Mermaid River meets and joins the larger River Bure. This meeting point is located between the villages of Brampton and Burgh-next-Aylsham.
Helping Wildlife in the River
Rivers are home to many different plants and animals. Keeping rivers healthy is very important for these creatures.
River Restoration Work
In 2017, a group called the Norfolk Rivers Internal Drainage Board worked on a part of the Mermaid River. This work was done near Brampton and covered about 700 meters (or almost half a mile) of the river. Their goal was to make the river a better place for wildlife to live.
Improving Habitats
One of the main things they did was add gravel to the riverbed. You might wonder why adding rocks helps! Gravel creates perfect spots for fish to lay their eggs. It also provides places for tiny insects and other small creatures to live. These small creatures are food for bigger animals, like fish and birds. By adding gravel, they hoped to improve the homes, or "habitats," for many different kinds of wildlife in the Mermaid River.
