River Irwell

The River Irwell rises in the moors above Bacup and flows for 39 miles through Bury,Rawtensall and Ramsbottom - it separates the city centres of Manchester and Salford before it joins the River Mersey at Irlam.

In the Industrial Revolution it was heavily polluted and not much wildlife survived - now much of the industry has gone and the river is slowly returning to it's natural state.

Here in the Burrs Country Park it looks quite genteel.

.