The famous Mersey Tidal Bore

IT may be news to some, but the Warrington area has been experiencing the famous Mersey Tidal Bore.
warrington-worldwide readers were among those who turned out to witness the phenomenon – although there was disagreement as to when was the best time to see it.
Some said Sunday morning – others Monday.
But what is a Tidal Bore – and what is special about the Mersey Tidal Bore?
In most tidal rivers, the change from ebb to flood is a gradual process. The ebb current downstream slows, there is a period of slack water and then very slowly the flood tide starts flowing upstream.
In some rivers, however, it is different – and the Mersey is one of them.
Here, the onset of the flood tide is marked by a distinct and sometimes very vigorous wave – a Bore.
The Mersey Bore can be seen in the lower estuary opposite Hale Point about 2hr 25 minutes before high water at Liverpool
It can be see passing under the Runcorn-Widnes road and rail bridges about 1 hr 50 minutes before high water at Liverpool.
Under good conditions the Bore may be seen as far upstream as Warrington, passing under the rail bridge south of Bank Quay railway station about 20 minutes before high water at Liverpool.
It passes rapidly through the town centre and arrives at Howley Weir, where the river ceases to be tidal, just before high water, Liverpool.
Borough councillor Geoff Settle was out with his camera on Sunday morning and took pictures which can be seen on the warrington-worldwide Readers’ Forum.
Another reader, Keith Inman, took his picture (above) from the Blue Bridge near Warrington town centre yesterday (Monday).
By common consent, the Tidal Bore was not particularly spectacular at Warrington this time – but for at least one person who has lived and worked in the town for almost 50 years and never even heard of it, it was at least interesting!