- River Menalhyl
The River Menalhyl is a
river inCornwall ,UK , that flows through theparish es ofSt Columb Major and Mawgan-in-Pydar. Its length is about 12 miles and it flows in a generally north-west direction. [http://www.cornwallriversproject.org.uk/geography/menalhyl.htm] The name comes from the Cornish words "melyn" meaning mill and "hayle" meaning river - "river with mills".The source of the river's longest branch is near
Nine Maidens , about 2 miles to the north of St Columb, at a height of approximately 490 feet above mean sea level. The Menalhyl enters the sea atMawgan Porth on the north coast of the county.Tributaries to the river include one that rises between the village of Tregonetha and Castle an Dinas, and one whose source is south-east ofTregatillian . A larger river, fromTalskiddy , joins the Menalhyl a short distance from its mouth.The river flows through the settlements of St Columb (the north part of the town, known as "Bridge"),
St Mawgan and Mawgan Porth. Its valley, from St Columb downstream, is called the Vale of Lanherne; it is wooded for much of its length and is popular with walkers. [http://www.oliverscornwall.co.uk/inland.html#Lanherne]There are a small number of disused mills along the length of the Menalhyl, and the river feeds some small lakes and ponds. It is also used for agricultural purposes along most of its course.
The river is enjoyed by anglers, especially in its lower course, and fish species such as brown trout, sea trout, lamprey, eel and minnow have been recorded. [http://www.cornwallriversproject.org.uk/geography/menalhyl.htm]
The bedrock of the catchment area is comprised, in the main, of
Devonian calcareous slates, grits and limestone. [http://www.cornwallriversproject.org.uk/geography/menalhyl.htm Cornwall Rivers Project - Menalhyl]External links
* [http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/105315 River Menalhyl] on Geograph.org.uk
References
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