Wych Brook facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wych Brook |
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The Wych Brook at Higher Wych
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| Other name(s) | River Elfe, Red Brook |
| Country | Wales, England |
| Counties | Wrexham County Borough, Cheshire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Fenn's Moss, Wrexham County Borough 52°56′8″N 2°43′35″W / 52.93556°N 2.72639°W |
| River mouth | River Dee near Shocklach 53°2′19″N 2°51′42″W / 53.03861°N 2.86167°W |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
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The Wych Brook, also called the Red Brook, is a small river in the northwest of the United Kingdom. It used to be known as the River Elfe. This river is special because it forms the border between England (in Cheshire) and Wales (in Wrexham County Borough). The Wych Brook flows into a bigger river called the River Dee.
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Journey of the Wych Brook
The Wych Brook starts its journey as the "Red Brook" at Fenn's Moss. This area is on the border between Wrexham County Borough and Shropshire. From there, the river flows north and then west.
It travels through a valley that has steep sides and many trees. Along its way, smaller streams join it, like the Grindley Brook and the Iscoyd Brook. Near the Welsh community of Willington Worthenbury, another stream called the Emral Brook joins the Wych Brook. The Emral Brook itself begins near Penley and collects water from other small streams in the area. Finally, the Wych Brook flows north until it reaches the River Dee near Shocklach.
The Valley's Unique Landscape
The middle part of the river valley is quite narrow and deep. This is because the river has cut into the ground, which is made of a mix of clay, sand, and gravel left behind by glaciers. The landscape around the river is very natural. You can see old woodlands with ash trees and fields where grass and rushes grow. The English side of the valley is recognized as an Area of Special County Value because of its unique nature.
What's in a Name?
The Wych Brook was once called the River Elfe or Elf. We don't know for sure where the name "Elfe" came from. However, the name "Wych" is believed to come from salty springs found in the area. In the past, there were natural salt springs, also called 'brine pits', near the river at Higher Wych and Lower Wych. People used these springs to make salt for selling, starting from the Middle Ages. Some people think the name Elfe might come from the Welsh word hal- or halen, which means "salt."
Wildlife in the Wych Brook
The Wych Brook is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find brown trout, common dace, gudgeon (a fish called Gobio gobio), stone loach, and common minnow living in its waters.
There is also a special group of dormice living in the Wych Valley. These dormice were brought here in 1996 and 1997. They are an unusual population because they are isolated from other dormouse groups.
