Rising in the hills south of Darwen, it flows south through Bolton where it is joined by Bradshaw Brook at the end of its route from Jumbles and Wayoh reservoirs. It finally meets the Irwell at Kearsley after a total course of around 10 miles
The River Irwell is a river in the counties of Lancashire and Greater Manchester in England that flows through (and divides) the centres of Manchester and Salford, before joining the River Mersey, and one of the rivers that drove the Industrial Revolution.
Turning west it is joined by the RiverCroal near Farnworth and runs south east where it meanders around the centre of Manchester, joining the rivers Irk and Medlock.
In the late 17th century the Warrington businessman Thomas Patten had made the River Mersey navigable as far as Warrington and suggested that there would be significant commercial value in extending this along the Irwell as far as Manchester.
Bolton-le-Moors was a settlement in a natural valley on the West Pennine Moors on the banks of the RiverCroal, and the Manor of Bolton is first recorded in 1067, as being owned by the Montgomery family.
As with many early settlements, the river and valley was the main reason for settlers to choose Bolton.
Agriculture was the chief occupation of the residents, the moors ideal grazing land, the fleece of the sheep woven for the local population.
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