River Washburn

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River Washburn
Origin Washburn Head
Mouth River Wharfe near Pool
Basin countries England

The River Washburn is a river in Yorkshire, England. It originates high in the Yorkshire Dales and ends where it meets the River Wharfe.

The River Washburn approaching Lindley Wood Reservoir
The River Washburn approaching Lindley Wood Reservoir

Contents

[edit] Course

The river's source is at Washburn Head, just south of Stump Cross and from there flows southwards via Thruscross Reservoir, Blubberhouses, Fewston Reservoir, Swinsty Reservoir and Lindley Wood Reservoir before joining the River Wharfe just north-west of Pool-in-Wharfedale.

[edit] Reservoirs

The Washburn has been dammed to a series of four reservoirs, all built to supply water to the city of Leeds. The lower three (Lindley Wood, Swinsty and Fewston) were built at the end on the 19th century, while the fourth, Thruscross, was delayed until the 1960s.[1]

[edit] Further Reading

The Washburn valley with Swinsty Reservoir in the foreground and Fewston Reservoir beyond
The Washburn valley with Swinsty Reservoir in the foreground and Fewston Reservoir beyond
  • The Washburn by Tom Bradley (published 1895, reprinted 1988)
  • Washburn Valley Yesterday Vol II by David Alred. ISBN 1-85825-160-5

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bowtell, Harold D (1991). Lesser Railways of the Yorkshire Dales and the Dam Builders in the Age of Steam. Plateway Press. ISBN 1-871980-09-7.