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Sunday 6 September 2009

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This waterfall and river looked very different when I was a child. This river... the river Tame supported many mills along its length and their waste water would be pumped back into the river without being treated. I can remember standing in this very spot as a child looking at the water foaming up in great clouds of chemical suds.... the water was a mucky brown colour and the whole place smelt very bad... standing by this waterfall was not advisable as after a while your eyes and throat would sting. At times the water would bubble and the smell got worse then. Th picture below is of the old Gibralter Mill that was in the same spot as the first picture, it was just one of the many Cotton mill that took their water from the Tame to power the steam engines that ran all the machines.

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I am happy to say that the river as recovered, fish are being caught here often... birds such as Heron, Kingfishers, and the odd Cormorant work these waters daily for their food... butterflies, dragonfly and many more clean water dependent wildlife and wildflowers are now found along the banks of this local river. At one time it was fished for Salmon.... no one living can remember when that was but we never know they might might make a come back soon.

11 comments:

imac said...

Never to late to learn to be thoughtful of what we wash away.

Great pic and post Tom.

imac said...

Never to late to learn to be thoughtful of what we wash away.

Great pic and post Tom.

June said...

I remember the filthy river too, it's a joy to see it alive and breathing again

Arija said...

Tom, I really enjoy your flash back historical posts.

i beati said...

I see things so clearly from childhood in my mind. unfortunately it just isn't the same.

Rune Eide said...

It is good to see that nature is back, even though it must have cost quite a few jobs. Now, if only one can get thirst without the other...

Rose said...

Very interesting post! And I like both pictures.

Anonymous said...

It's always so good to here of places like this - it gives hope for the future.

Just catching up with all the posts I've missed! I have to say, your shot of Mottram Church rising above the trees and houses is awesome!

Coy Hill said...

How nice to see such a great success story. I always enjoy your historical/current day post.

So much development was done is past years with no consideration to the enviroment and it is good to see when these past wrongs are put right.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

Nature can recover from the human abuse of it, if given half a chance. We need to stop using rivers as a cheap source of water on the upstream side and a sewer on the downstream side. Removal of dams is another step forward.
In the United States there is one agency that has done a lot to restore rivers to health. http://www.americanrivers.org/our-work/restoring-rivers/dams/projects/edwards-anniversary.html

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm pleased to read this success story.

Yesterday I witnessed migrant workers fishing in a canal sure to be full of poisons and fertilizers. EW! I don't see it undergoing a cleanup soon...but your post makes me feel hopeful.