River Ancholme
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The River Ancholme is a river in North Lincolnshire, England, and a tributary of the River Humber.
It rises south of Bishopbridge (west of Market Rasen), passes through Brigg and flows into the Humber at South Ferriby.
In its natural state, the river's valley was flat-bottomed and fenny. The river still has a distinctly rural character, and the landscape is agricultural.
Boats have used the river for many centuries, and it was an important route for transporting cargo from the rural communities to the industrial towns. In the 19th century, a passenger packet boat ran from Brigg to South Ferriby and connected with a steamer to Hull.
North of Bishopbridge, where the River Rase joins the Ancholme, the river runs in two intertwining channels known as the "Old River Ancholme" and the "New River Ancholme". While the Old River maintains its natural course, the New River flows almost straight as it is the product of engineering work. The course of the Old River through Brigg was also enlarged, forming "Island Carr".
As early as the 13th century local landowners paid subscriptions for work to be undertaken with the aim of facilitating navigation and land drainage. The river's charter is one of the oldest in the country.
One feature of the river is the number of small bridges, of low capacitym which were built to allow access for farmers. Many Parish boundaries still follow the line of the Old River. Strangers have been known to follow a map, until they reach some poorly-maintained riverside track, in an attempt to avoid a long detour.
Nowadays the river is used mainly for recreation, with over 200 boats registered.
