The Severn

Facts

Location

Map reproduced from the Oxford Practical Atlas with permission from Oxford University Press.

The source of the River Severn is high in the Cambrian Mountains in Wales. The Severn starts as a boggy pool which oozes out of the ground. The water comes from all the rain water which falls on the Welsh Hills. The dribbles of water quickly join together to make a small stream. The upper course of the river is a narrow rocky channel. The river has cut a V-shaped valley as it runs down from the hills. There is also a small waterfall in the upper course.

In the middle course the river gets wider and deeper and the valley becomes flatter. The river begins to meander and it is joined by tributaries such as the Avon, Doulass and the Vernwe. There is a floodplain in the middle course on which crops such as wheat and barley are grown.

The Severn continues its journey towards its mouth. It forms an estuary as it flows into the Bristol Channel and eventually the Atlantic Ocean. The River Severn forms the border between England and Wales for much of its course. It passes through important towns and cities such as Shrewsbury, Gloucester, Worcester and Bristol. Settlements grew up along the river from Roman times to the present day. One famous settlement is Ironbridge, the first industrial town.

Travelling on the Severn

The River Severn has been used for a long time to transport cargo and goods. The mining town of Ironbridge was built in the Industrial Revolution. Water from the Severn was used to drive waterwheels and other machinery. Iron ore and steel were transported in barges down the River Severn to Stourport. Stourport connected to London and Manchester by a network of canals. Stourport is where the river is officially navigable for barges and cargo ships. It is mainly grain which is transported downstream from Tewkesbury now. There is also a canal built by the estuary (Sharpness Canal) so that ships can avoid the tidal bore. The Severn is regularly dredged to keep it navigable.

Pollution

Pollution is a problem along the River Severn. By the source, pollution is caused by grit and gravel entering the stream. Many trees by the source are chopped down for timber for furniture and fuel. This causes grit and gravel to enter the stream. The trees themselves can cause pollution. They can poison the water by leaching. Minerals from the soil enter the river and enable algae to grow. Old tin mines near the source can also pollute the stream. The tunnels fill up with water, and metals and ores contained in the rocks seep through into the stream water.

In other places pollution is caused by people throwing rubbish into the water. The water companies check water samples to make sure that it is safe for boating, and for factories, homes, agriculture and drinking water.

Flooding

Flooding downstream is a problem because there is so much rain in the Welsh hills. Upton-on-Severn was flooded in January 1995. The people who live there get warnings from the local environment agency, but there are no flood defences there.

Recreation

The River Severn is mainly used for pleasure boating now. There is a weir and a lock system to make the river deep enough for small boats. There are bell boats, used by children and teachers on educational visits.