Because England doesn't have a very pronounced topography, it doesn't have many rivers. The only river of considerable size is the River Thames . It is one of the most famous rivers in the world and divides London in two. Furthermore, it is the country's main source of water.
In this article we will tell you all about the characteristics, origin, geology and importance of the River Thames.
Key features
This is the most important and voluminous river in England, flowing into the North Sea and connecting the island's capital, London, to the North Sea. Being an island, the length of its day is not comparable to that of other continental rivers, but it is similar in length to other European rivers. For example, it is roughly the same length as the Segura River in Spain. Its source is the confluence of four rivers: the Churn, the Coln, the Isis (also known as the Windrush), and the Leach.
The River Thames originated in the Pleistocene epoch, making it a relatively young river. At that time, it flowed from Wales to Clacton-on-Sea. Along its course, it crossed the North Sea before becoming a tributary of the Rhine. Today, the Thames is vital for supplying freshwater. During the 16th and 17th centuries, it was a crucial means of communication and transport between Westminster and London.
One of the curiosities of this river is that it froze once in 1677 and since then it has not done so again. The reason for this was that the entire London Bridge was restructured and the number and frequency of the piers decreased which allowed the flow to flow more easily. In this way, by not encouraging the riverbed to go much faster, the water at the end freezing.
Source of the river Thames
Let's explore the source, tributaries, and depth of the River Thames. The river's entire course offers a glimpse into its origin. Many towns claim to be its source. The River Thames originates at Thames Head and Seven Springs. The cooler and wetter times of year are perfect for visiting this area. It's one of the most beautiful spots to witness the river's emergence, near the monument.
Thames river fauna
This river is not only known for dividing England in two, but also for its wildlife. The number of mammals sighted in the last decade has broken records. The society dedicated to the care and conservation of animals recorded more than 2000 official animal sightings in the last ten years . The majority of the mammals detected in the River Thames were seals. Dolphins and nearly 50 whales were also reportedly sighted.
All these figures contrast with those of 50 years ago when the park was declared in a state of biological death. Despite what people think of when they travel to London and see the River Thames, they actually save a varied amount of wildlife. For example, there is an annual swans-counting ceremony in which all these beautiful birds are counted along with their young and examined very well by medical groups of veterinarians and scientists for diseases.
Hunting and collecting swan eggs is completely prohibited, as the supply of these birds was essential for all the activities carried out by the Crown during the 16th century. Counting these birds has been maintained throughout the years as a tradition and a way to ensure the preservation of this species. Furthermore, they lend immeasurable beauty to this landscape, making it feel more natural. The decline in the species is a reality, since 200 years ago there were twice as many swans as there are today. Illegal hunters, dogs, and even pollution of the river itself have contributed to the reduction in the number of swans.
Pollution and impacts
It's important to remember that this river flows through the heart of large cities and is heavily polluted. Its 70-kilometer stretch from Gravesend to Teddington Lock was so heavily polluted that a 1957 survey determined no fish could survive in those waters.
When it was pristine, the River Thames was a perfect spawning ground for salmon and other fish , and fishing was a long-standing tradition. As the city and population grew, the amount of trash dumped into the river also increased. It had been dumped for many years, but after 1800, pollution truly became a serious problem.
All the waters began to be polluted and were not treated. This led to the proliferation of bacteria that depleted the oxygen in the water, an essential element for the survival of fish and the development of aquatic vegetation. To mitigate these problems, works were planned to recover the river, but the growth of the chemical industry worsened the pollution. The chemical and gas industries dumped all their waste into the river, further exacerbating the pollution.
Today it is still polluted but now it is one of the cleanest rivers that flows through a city. The recovery task is still difficult but results are already being obtained.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the River Thames and its characteristics.