River Irwell topographic map
Interactive map
Click on the map to display elevation.
River Irwell
The River Irwell catchment area extends from the moors above Bacup to the Manchester Ship Canal. The climate of the catchment area is wetter than the UK average, with rainfall of 1,456 millimetres (57.3 in) per annum compared to 1,231 millimetres (48.5 in) per annum, and the rivers quickly respond to rainfall. The topography varies considerably, with the upper reaches dominated by the Pennine moors at an altitude of between 350 and 450 metres (1,150 and 1,480 ft) AOD and the bottom of the catchment consisting of relatively flat land, which lies between 20 and 150 metres (66 and 492 ft) AOD. The watercourses are characterised by steep narrow valleys, which contributes to high rates of run-off, as does the underlying solid geology. This comprises Lower Coal Measures overlying Millstone Grit, both of which are classified as minor aquifers which will only hold relatively small amounts of water. The Millstone Grit is, in turn, underlain by limestone rocks from the lower Carboniferous period. The surface deposits comprise thick peat in the upper reaches, with glacial boulder clay and glacial sand and gravel in the lower parts. The sand and gravel are also classified as a minor aquifer, whilst the boulder clay is a non-aquifer. The higher, steeper slopes of the upper part of the catchment provide a large source of erodible material and debris which is transported downstream to the lower, flatter parts of the catchment. Where the channel is constricted, this material is then deposited and can contribute to a reduction in channel capacity.
About this map
Name: River Irwell topographic map, elevation, terrain.
Average elevation: 178 m
Minimum elevation: 14 m
Maximum elevation: 477 m
Lancashire trails, hiking, mountain biking, running and outdoor activities
Other topographic maps
Click on a map to view its topography, its elevation and its terrain.
Burnley
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire
The town lies in a natural three-forked valley at the confluence of the River Brun and the River Calder, surrounded by open fields, with wild moorland at higher altitudes. To the west of Burnley lie the towns of Padiham, Accrington and Blackburn, with Nelson and Colne to the north. The centre of the town…
Average elevation: 247 m
Cowm Reservoir
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Whitworth > Shawforth
Average elevation: 302 m
Roach Bridge
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > South Ribble > Coupe Green
Average elevation: 49 m
Nun Hills
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Stacksteads
Average elevation: 316 m
Scarth Hill
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > West Lancashire > Ormskirk
Average elevation: 58 m
Melling-with-Wrayton
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Lancaster > Melling
Average elevation: 56 m
Silverdale Green
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Lancaster > Silverdale
Average elevation: 24 m
Forest Holme
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Water
Average elevation: 318 m
Haslingden Grane
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Haslingden
Average elevation: 287 m
Trough Gate
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Britannia
Average elevation: 341 m
Colne Water
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Pendle > Laneshaw Bridge
Average elevation: 202 m
Fold Head
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Healey
Average elevation: 294 m
Whitewell Bottom
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Borough of Rossendale > Sagar Holme
Average elevation: 281 m
Old Langho
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Ribble Valley > Brockhall Village
Average elevation: 74 m
Billington and Langho
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Ribble Valley > Brockhall Village
Average elevation: 58 m
Brungerley Park
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Ribble Valley > Clitheroe > Waddington
Average elevation: 77 m
Forest of Bowland National Landscape
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire
Contrary to the popular histories, the origins of the name "Bowland" have nothing to do with archery ("the land of the bow") or with mediaeval cattle farms or vaccaries (Old Norse, buu-, farmstead). The name derives from the Old Norse boga-/bogi-, meaning a "bend in a river". It is a 10th-century coinage used…
Average elevation: 189 m
Accrington
United Kingdom > England > Lancashire > Hyndburn
Geographical coordinates: 53° 46' 0" North, 2° 21' 0" West. Height above sea level: there is a spot height outside the Market Hall which is 133.5 metres (438 ft) the benchmark on the side of the neighbouring Town Hall is 441.10 feet (134.45 m). The highest height in the town is 320 metres (1,050 ft) which is…
Average elevation: 199 m
