The Thames

Facts

Location

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

The River Thames is the longest river in England. It has its source in the Cotswold Hills, in the south of England. The Thames starts as a small stream, soon joined by tributaries. The Thames flows southeast to Reading. From Reading, it flows eastwards through London.

The River Medway is the most important tributary. It enters the Thames at Sheerness. The Thames flows through important towns such as Oxford and the capital, London. Its mouth, which is also an estuary, is to the east of London where it flows into the North Sea. The estuary is tidal as far as Teddington.

Pollution

By the 1950's the Thames had become very polluted. The river had been used to transport heavy cargo since the 19th century. People usd to throw rubbish and sewage into the water. The water was so polluted in London that it was almost black in colour, and smelt strongly.

But this has all started to change. People have realised that rivers and the environment need looking after. There are laws to stop people throwing rubbish and sewage into the river. Factories have to send dirty sewage and water to Waste Water Treatment Works. There, it is cleaned to a safe standard before being put back into the river. New Works have been built to cope with the extra demand.

Old docks in London have been closed because they were causing pollution. A new port has been built near the mouth of the river where the river is deeper and wider. New flats and expensive houses have been built in places such as St. Katherine's Dock.

These changes have all meant that the river is getting cleaner. Wildlife such as water birds and fish are starting to return to the river. A few years ago, it was discovered that salmon now live in the river again.

Flooding

The River Thames is prone to tidal surges. This happens when a high tide is blown up the Thames estuary by very strong winds. The water level of the Thames rises quickly and spills over the banks. This happened to London in 1956. Flooding is not just found in London. There was a flood in Berkshire along the banks of the Thames a few years ago. The Thames Flood Barrier was built to protect people from floods in London. Usually it is left open to let ships go through. In times of tidal surges, the gates are shut to keep the water out of the estuary.

Recreation

The River Thames is used for a wide range of recreational facilities. People on holiday can take boat trips along the Thames in London to view historic sites such as the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. In the Cotswold Hills, people can take canal holidays on the Thames. Canoeing and rowing are also done as well.

Ships and the Thames

The River Thames has always been an important waterway for ships to transport cargo. A new port and docks have been built at the mouth of the Thames to replace the old dilapidated London Docklands area. The many bridges crossing the Thames in London can be a problem for ships. To solve this problem, Tower Bridge opens in the middle and swings the road upwards .