The River Tame, from the Black Country to the River Trent
| Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:12 John M |
The River Tame catchment of 1490 square kilometres is the most urbanised in the country with a population of 1.7 million. The river's main tributaries start in the Black Country in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Sandwell. In Birmingham it is joined by the Hockley Brook and River Rea. The early River Tame is mainly in culverts or man-made channels. The previous industries on the banks have left a legacy of pollution and poor water quality. However, there are small signs of improvement with herons resident around Bescot. The two main branches are known as the River Tame: Wolverhampton or Willenhall Branch The Wolverhampton Branch starts north-west of Bilston near Stow Heath but is piped or culverted until it reaches Portobello. The pool at Proud’s Lane probably marks the first sight of the upper reaches.             The landscape is post industrial characterised by old colliery sites with abandoned shafts. Oldbury Branch The Oldbury Branch starts at Titford and flows north via Oldbury and Great Bridge.           The two branches join at Bescot alongside the M6 motorway    The river was re-aligned through the sewage beds when the M6 and M5 were constructed in the 1970s. Within the Sandwell Valley Country Park the river was diverted to flow through Forge Mill Lake. The lake has an RSPB reserve and hide.          From Sandwell via Perry Barr to Sphaghetti Junction and confluence with River Rea.              The River Rea rises to the south of Birmingham and flows through the city to join the River Tame near M6 Bromford Viaduct.  http://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/birmingham_s_river_rea_from_source_ to_river_tame_9967 |
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| Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:41 John M |
Bromford to Tamworth Having picked up flows from the Hockley Brook and River Rea the River Tame flows out of Birmingham under the M6 and towards Marston Green and Coleshill.           Serving a population of 2.3million the water treatment works at Minworth is Severn Trent's largest sewage treatment site spread over 500 hectares north of the river.           At Hams Hall it is joined by the River Blythe flowing north from Solihull and the eastern fringe of Birmingham.       The disused gravel beds at Kingsbury Water Park allow some cleaning of the water.    A rural section takes the river northwards to Tamworth which takes its name from the river. The River Tame is joined here by the River Anker flowing west from Nuneaton.          North of Tamworth the river follows a meandering course via Elford         to join the River Trent north of the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas.      |
| Thu, 21 May 2009 21:20 John M |
Sneyd Brook A tributary joining the Wolverhampton Arm from the north near Bentley. It rises amongst the former colliery sites between Bloxwich and Essington. Much of the flow was diverted into the Wyrley & Essington and Anson Branch Canals.      |
| Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:40 John M |
Ford Brook A tributary joining the River Tame from the north. It rises among the colliery sites between Brownhills and Clayhanger flowing south though Walsall to join the Tame near Bescot.          |
| Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:39 John M |
Updated 14/04/13 : General update including Oldbury Arm |
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