River Roch swollen by heavy rain

Date published: 12 December 2015

The River Roch is flowing very fast in Rochdale town centre and the heavy rain has swollen the river to the point it is almost at the roof of the culvert under the Metrolink stop.

The river, to which Rochdale owes its name and existence, is being uncovered further across town, either side of the bottom of Yorkshire Street, however between Number One Riverside and The Butts, the river still runs hidden through a culvert.

Rising on Chelburn Moor (south of Todmorden), the river flows south through Littleborough towards Rochdale where it is joined by the River Beal at Belfield, and the River Spodden from Whitworth. Turning west it runs past Heywood and Bury before meeting the River Irwell just to the east of Radcliffe.

The River Roch wildlife corridor supports species such as the dipper, kingfisher, pipistrelle bats, water crowfoot and otters.

However, the Roch and its main tributaries do present flood risks in Littleborough and central Rochdale with pockets found elsewhere in Milnrow, Newhey and Middleton.

Photos © Journeaux
www.journeaux.org