The
River Irwell is a 39-mile (63&_160;km) long river which flows through the
Irwell Valley in the counties of
Lancashire and
Greater Manchester in
North West England. The river's
source is at Irwell Springs on Deerplay Moor, approximately 1.5&_160;miles (2.4&_160;km) north of
Bacup, in the parish of
Cliviger, Lancashire. The Irwell flows through (and separates) the city centres of
Manchester and
Salford, before joining the
River Mersey near
Irlam.
The lower reaches of the river were adapted for use as a trading route during the 17th and 18th centuries, and the stretch between Manchester and the River Mersey became part of the Mersey and Irwell Navigation. Large sections of the river west of Manchester were changed radically during the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, which opened in 1896, turning Manchester and Salford into a major sea port and leading to the development of Trafford Park, which became the largest industrial estate in Europe. Changes were also made to prevent localised flooding throughout Manchester and Salford, particularly the rerouting of the river via the Anaconda Cut in Salford in 1970 and the River Irwell Flood Defence Scheme, completed in the early years of the 21st century.
The Irwell is a river that helped facilitate the Industrial Revolution in North West England, as a result of which it became severely polluted with industrial waste and completely devoid of fish. Beginning in the latter half of the 20th century, a number of initiatives were implemented to remove the pollution, restock the river with fish and create a diverse environment for wildlife. Consequently, the stretches of the river which pass through Manchester and Salford now form the centrepiece of large-scale investment in business and residential developments and some areas, such as Salford Quays, are now nationally important havens for wildlife. The Irwell is also host to a number of recreational activities, such as pleasure cruising, rowing and fishing and events such as the Northern Universities Boat Race.
The Irwell is about 39&_160;miles (63&_160;km) in length, from its source to the confluence with the River Mersey.[1] Rising on the moors above Cliviger,[2] the river flows south through Bacup, Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom and Bury before merging with the River Roch near Radcliffe. Turning west it is joined by the River Croal near Farnworth where it turns southeast through Kearsley, Clifton and Agecroft, meandering around Lower Broughton and Kersal, Salford Crescent and the centre of Manchester, joining the rivers Irk and Medlock. Again turning west, from Salford, it meets the Mersey to the east of Irlam, where the route was altered in the late 19th century to form part of the course of the Manchester Ship Canal.
