River Unk, Shropshire Explained

The River Unk is a small river in Shropshire, England that runs for 15.6km (09.7miles) before flowing into the River Clun.[1]

Course

It rises close to the site of the Bronze Age cross dyke known as the Lower Short Ditch on the Shropshire - Powys border in the north of Clun Forest[2] and flows in a generally easterly direction for around 4km (02miles) before turning southward near Lower Edenhope, heading past Mainstone, Cefn Einion, and Bicton for 11km (07miles) and joining the River Clun near the Castle in the town of Clun.[3]

Nature

The river is one of the few remaining sites in the United Kingdom where freshwater pearl mussels are found. The Environment Agency has taken land next to the banks of the river to prevent cattle entering the water and silting up the riverbed.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Unk - source to conf R Clun. environment.data.gov.uk. Environment Agency - Catchment Data Explorer. 18 March 2017. en.
  2. 52.4843°N -3.1434°W
  3. 52.4233°N -3.0338°W
  4. News: Rare mussel at the centre of Shropshire land row « Shropshire Star. 18 March 2017. The Shropshire Star. 9 May 2015. en.