5
Engineering and Topography
5.4
Rivers and Canals
There
are a number of major river systems flowing through the study
area. The river and valley systems of the Rivers Nore and
Barrow are the most significant river features.
The River Nore flows south through Kilkenny City and across
the northern part of the study area, as shown on Figure 3A.
Two of the River Nore's main tributaries, the Kings and Little
Arrigle Rivers (flowing from the west and south-west respectively)
join the Nore in the general vicinity of Stoneyford and Thomastown
respectively. From Thomastown the Nore flows southeast, where
it is joined by the Arrigle River. The River Barrow flows
south through the northeastern corner of the study area, forming
the boundary between Kilkenny and Carlow Counties. There is
a Canal on the River Barrow, in the vicinity of Goresbridge,
County Kilkenny. This Canal runs within the southern study
area for approximately 6 kilometers along the river, passing
through Goresbridge. There are a number of Locks on the Canal,
which allow for the regulating of the flow.
The
River Blackwater, a tributary of the River Suir, is a feature
on the south western side of the study area, as it flows south
to the meet the River Suir to the north-east of Waterford
City, near Granny, as shown on Figure 3B. There are two tributaries
flowing into the Blackwater in this area. The Derrylacky River
drains from the east into the Blackwater to the north of Mullinavat,
while the larger Pollanassa River drains from the west into
the River Blackwater to the south of Mullinavat.
Intrinsically linked to the topographical features are the
river systems and valleys. At this stage of the study it is
mainly the linear nature of the rivers that represents a physical
constraint. The associated constraints, such as nature conservation
designations, topography, landscape and visual features are
each dealt with elsewhere in this study.
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