HomeWelcome To Wirral
Features of the River Dibbin
Floodplain
The flat floodplain containing the meandering river can be viewed from the top of the valley at the vantage point marked on the main map. The water levels and channels of most rivers in lowland Britain are carefully controlled to prevent flooding. At Dibbinsdale the river is allowed to find a natural course, which may change in the flood valley with time. During flooding the water levels of the river frequently increase by several metres, immersing some of the surrounding grassland and wood.
River cliffs and geology
The erosive action of the river has undercut the Bunter sandstone of the valley to form river cliffs. These sandstone rocks were laid down in the Triassic period (180-225 million years ago) and are visible in the North-west of the reserve, along the lower footpath, near St. Patrick's Well.
River valley soils
The soils of the upper slopes of the valley are acidic brown earths. They are rich in glacial clays and sands, deposited by the river after the last ice age. The soils of the floodplain are wet base rich alluvial, which derive from more recent river deposits. Soil cores can be viewed and carefully replaced, the samples being compared for colour, texture and moisture content.
Ox-bow lakes
These are a sign of an old river. There are no full formations on the Dibbin, but some of the smaller meanders are showing signs of Ox-bow development.
Meanders
A series of meanders, which increase in size towards the river mouth, can be seen at Dibbinsdale. The smaller meanders are accessible from the footpath below Bromborough Rake rail station. The larger meanders are surrounded by wet and boggy ground, these are best viewed from the viewing point marked on the main map.
Erosion, transport and deposition
The river once had high erosive power, forming river cliffs after the ice age. Now the slow flow rate results in material for example silt being deposited. During times of flood the increased flow rate of the river can cause scouring of the river bed.
River mouth
The river flows into the tidal Mersey. Industrial development on the marshy land around the mouth of the River Dibbin resulted in the development of Bromborough Pool. Before the construction of the lock gates the River Dibbin was tidal up to Otters Bridge and occasionally to Poulton Bridge where erosion by tide marks could be seen on the sandstone bridge.