River Kent

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River Kent

What is the River Kent?
The River Kent is a short river in Cumbria, England. It starts in the hills around Kentmere and flows about 32 km (20 miles) north to the north side of Morecambe Bay. The upper part lies in the Lake District National Park. The river runs mostly from north to south, passing through Kentmere, Staveley, Burneside, Kendal and Sedgwick, before reaching the estuary near Arnside.

Where does it flow and what is it like?
- Source to mouth: The Kent rises as several streams north of Kentmere, flows through Kentmere Tarn, and is joined by several tributaries on its way to the sea. It eventually widens into an estuary at Morecambe Bay.
- Estuary and tidal features: The estuary is tidal near Arnside, with a visible tidal bore known as the Arnside Bore on high spring tides. The bore can be seen when the tide is high and the wind is right.
- Landscape: The upper river sits in the Lake District National Park. It passes through towns and villages and has a mix of gorges, bridges and old mills along its route.

People and history along the Kent
- Mills and power: The river has powered mills since at least the 13th century. In the 1800s, Kentmere Reservoir (1848) helped regulate water for mills downstream. The river powered corn mills, bobbin mills, and later paper mills, especially around Staveley, Burneside, and Kendal. The Kentmere area and Kendal grew rich from water-powered industry.
- Notable mills and sites:
- Staveley and Kentmere area had bobbin mills and paper mills.
- James Cropper PLC operates a major paper mill at Cowan Head; Burneside and Bowston also had important paper-related works.
- Sedgwick hosted gunpowder mills in the 18th and 19th centuries; several remains are preserved as historic sites.
- Kendal’s mills served the woollen industry and other trades, and the town’s water power left a lasting mark on its layout and bridges.
- Flood history: Kendal has a history of flooding, with serious floods recorded in 1898, 1954, and 1968. A flood defense scheme was built between 1972 and 1978 to protect the town, widening and deepening parts of the river and creating a gravel-trap lagoon north of Kendal. The town faced another major flood in 2015, which led to plans for new defenses in 2018 and ongoing flood-management work.

Environment and protection
- Special Area of Conservation: The River Kent is designated as a Special Area of Conservation because it supports the endangered white-clawed crayfish. It also hosts bullhead and the freshwater pearl mussel, and supports populations of salmon, brown trout and sea trout.
- Fish passage and management: Since 1986, fish passes have allowed migratory fish to move past weirs, helping juvenile salmon reach upstream habitats. A 2022 plan approved removing an old weir at Bowston to improve fish movement.
- Water quality: In 2019, the overall water quality assessment classified the river’s status as poor for some aspects due to certain chemicals. Ongoing projects aim to improve water quality and support wildlife and flood management.
- Flood management and natural solutions: In Kendal, flood defenses include widened channels, reinforced walls, embankments, and gravel traps. There are also natural flood management efforts, such as daylighting and remeandering small streams to slow and store floodwater.

What you can see and do
- The river is popular with kayakers in the Staveley-Kendal area, especially the section between Kendal and Sedgwick, which has rapid sections and high water after rain. It’s generally not a beginner’s river.
- The Arnside area offers the tidal estuary and the Arnside Bore, a natural phenomenon visible at higher tides.
- There are many historic bridges, mills, and gunpowder works along the river that reflect its long industrial history.

Key facts at a glance
- Length: about 32 km (20 miles)
- Source: Hills around Kentmere
- Mouth: Morecambe Bay (near Arnside)
- National park: Part of the upper river is inside the Lake District National Park
- Designation: Special Area of Conservation (White-clawed crayfish, bullhead, freshwater pearl mussel)
- Notable features: Kentmere Reservoir, historic mills, Staveley Mill Yard hydro scheme, Arnside Bore, flood defenses around Kendal

Etymology and name
- The exact origin of the name “Kent” is uncertain. It is thought to be of Brittonic rather than Germanic origin, and its connection to other similarly named rivers is not clear.

This river has shaped the communities along its banks for centuries, providing power, flood protection, and unique ecological habitats while also offering opportunities for recreation and study.