CanalTurf in the Rivers of England

CanalTurf

Many rivers (particularly on those where locks have been rebuilt as conventional masonry structures) still provide evidence of former turf locks or parts thereof, particularly during winter or early spring when vegetation does not yet have taken hold; the Kennet is no different.

Canalturf refers to the earth banks surrounding canal locks built without full height masonry walls, making this method of lock construction far cheaper than building traditional chambers for them. ‘Canalturfing’ was most commonly seen on river navigations and was becoming more widely adopted.

The Kennet

The Kennet, with its serpentine course through Berkshire and Wiltshire villages, has long been revered for its abundance of wildlife and tranquil ambience. It also serves as an ideal setting to stroll along its waters on summer evenings; yet those who cherish its waters should be alarmed that some spots have seen it reduced to little more than a trickle.

The river originates in North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and flows into the Thames at Reading. Between Newbury and Reading is Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain SSSI, an aquatic wonderland home to birds, plants, and aquatic life – its banks often host Sedge Warblers with their distinctive calls while Willow Warblers can often be heard singing their melodious song; Desmoulin’s whorl snail populations flourish at several locations while rare species such as Brook Lamprey are occasionally spotted!

Some stretches of the Kennet are lined with reeds that serve as ideal habitats for rare and threatened Water Voles (Arvicola amphibius), providing ideal homes for them. Meanwhile, its waters host an abundance of birdlife; Swans are often seen in Reading while ducks and geese abound; wintertime is especially busy with Kingfishers while herons often make appearances at fords and bridges.

In 1788 a meeting was convened to consider plans for a “Western Canal”, which would improve trade and communications among towns including Hungerford, Marlborough, Chippenham and Melksham. Engineer John Barns designed the Great Western Railway at roughly the same time and submitted a detailed proposal which was accepted by the company in 1802. Work began shortly afterwards on what later became known as Kennet and Avon Canal – it was completed between 1827-1834 in stages.

At its 96-mile length between Bristol’s Floating Harbour and Reading’s easternmost lock on the River Kennet, there were 107 locks, 236 bridges, two steam-driven pumping stations, and one mile-long tunnel. Pound locks had square-headed chambers with mitred gates on either side that closed against each side to achieve level changes on the canal via mitred gates and sluices that filled and emptied chambers to adjust level on canal waterway.

The Thames

The Thames is one of England’s most beloved rivers – stretching 215 miles from its source in the Cotswolds to London via nine English counties, crossing London at its iconic Thames Barrier before eventually entering its tidal estuary. One of the world’s most fascinating and varied waterways, its features range from small trickles near its source all the way up to an expansive estuary with impressive tides; including villages, towns and cities along its path.

The river is an inspirational success story. Once declared dead by pollution in the 1950s, it is now an ecosystem with flourishing ecosystem. Eels and swans breed on its banks while dolphins have even been recorded upstream of Richmond. However, as it widens and slows through central London, fine particles of sediment from its tributaries settle on its riverbed, contaminating it with heavy metals.

Still popular for leisure pursuits like boating, fishing and sightseeing; its waters have also served as an inspiration to artists like Turner, Monet and Canaletto; it features in a manuscript over 500 years old with pastel hues; Lewis Pugh ran naked down it to bring awareness about global warming; it can even be found in books, films and TV shows like Alice in Wonderland Three Men in a Boat and The Wind in the Willows!

Over 200 bridges cross the Thames River; some are architectural landmarks like Tower Bridge and Millennium Bridge; most serve a functional purpose to help people get where they’re going. At one time, parts of the river often froze solid enough for skating on it!

Reversing its decline would improve biodiversity, increase opportunities for leisure and recreation, reduce congestion, air and water pollution while simultaneously relieving road congestion. Martin Richardson of Royal Holloway University of London intends to use his expertise in ecosystem modeling and assessment along with collaboration efforts to restore health and productivity levels that were seen centuries earlier on the Thames River.

The Severn

The River Severn (Welsh: Afon Hafren; ancient Sabrina) is Britain’s longest river from source to tidewaters at 180 miles (291 km). It originates in central Wales on the slopes of Plynlimon (Pumlumon) and flows south across England/Wales border near Shrewsbury to join with Bristol Channel and Atlantic Ocean. The estuary itself is home to the largest salt marsh habitat in Britain and forms part of Europe-wide network called Natura 2000. Furthermore, its river and its tributaries host many different bird species such as swans, geese, herons and lapwings that feed off this unique environment. Gerald Finzi’s A Severn Rhapsody from 1923, Edward Elgar’s The River Suite Opus 87 from 1930 and Herbert Howells’ Missa Sabrinensis (Mass of the River) from 1954 are just three examples.

The Severn River is an extremely fast flowing river, reaching speeds of 17 miles per hour (27 kilometers per hour) at high tide. This speed creates an extraordinary high tidal range which may extend as much as 50 feet (15 meters). High tide is often marked by the Severn bore; when water from an estuary flows into its narrow river channel through tidal surge pressure pushing water from wide estuaries into narrow river channels with incredible force to form waves that travel upstream at extremely fast speed and pushing water back out onto narrow river channels; creating waves that travel upstream at incredible speed along their course at high tide.

The river’s intermediate salinity restricts what organisms can survive within its waters, although marine species often thrive there. Furthermore, its waters provide shelter to numerous fish and shellfish species while serving as an essential transport route for both people and goods.

21 tributaries flow into the River Severn; these range from small streams to large rivers like Avon. Although its geology is complex, much of its upper Severn bedrock consists of Silurian and Ordovician rocks with Carboniferous strata overlying them in parts of Shropshire; Permo-Triassic rock can also be found near Ironbridge and Tewkesbury.

The Severn River is Britain’s most naturally navigable river, boasting nearly uninterrupted inland navigation to London outskirts. Additionally, tidal sections of both Avon and Wye rivers are navigable upstream from Stratford upon Avon up to Evesham; both provide navigable waters from their upper reaches down towards Worcester.

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