- River Stour, Dorset
The River Stour is a 60.5
mile (97km ) longriver which flows throughWiltshire andDorset in southernEngland , and drains into theEnglish Channel . It is sometimes called the Dorset Stour to distinguish it from rivers of the same name. The source of the river is atStourhead , in Wiltshire, where it forms a series of artificiallakes which are part of the Stourhead estate owned by the National Trust. It flows south into Dorset through theBlackmore Vale and the towns of Gillingham andSturminster Newton , where it is joined by the River Lydden. AtBlandford Forum the river breaks through thechalk ridge of theDorset Downs , and from there flows south east into the heathlands of south east Dorset. AtWimborne Minster it is joined by the River Allen, and at itsestuary at Christchurch it is joined by the River Avon before it flows into the English Channel.For many miles the river is followed by the route of the now disused
Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway , which bridged the river five times.Because much of the river's course is across
clay soil, the river's waterlevel varies greatly. In summer, low water level makes the river a diverse and important habitat, supporting many rareplants . In winter, the river oftenflood s, and is therefore bordered by wide and fertileflood plain s.A number of towns and villages in Dorset are named after the river, including East and
West Stour ,Stourpaine ,Stourton Caundle ,Stour Row ,Stour Provost ,Sturminster Newton , andSturminster Marshall . Sturminster Newton is famous for itswater mill and townbridge , which still bears the notice warning potential vandals that damaging the bridge is punishable bypenal transportation .ee also
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Rivers of the United Kingdom
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