Broughton-in-Furness

Many thanks to The Duddon River Association for facilitating this camera's location. The Duddon River, situated in Cumbria, England, is a scenic watercourse renowned for its natural beauty. Its origin lies at an elevation of 1,289 feet above sea level near the Three Shire Stone, positioned at the highest point of Wrynose Pass. From this starting point, the river meanders gracefully for approximately 15 miles before ultimately merging with the Irish Sea at the Duddon Sands. The entire length of the Duddon, spanning from its source to the westernmost part of Duddon Sands, measures 27 miles.In the past, the Duddon River served as a demarcation between Lancashire and Cumberland counties. However, subsequent to a local government reorganization in 1974, it is now entirely situated within the boundaries of Cumbria.Encompassing a significant portion of the southwestern Lake District fells, the catchment area of the River Duddon is extensive. It includes the eastern slopes of Corney Fell, Ulpha Fell, and Harter Fell, as well as the southern slopes of the mountains near the head of Langdale, and the western slopes of Dunnerdale and Seathwaite Fells.The river commences its journey with a rapid descent over a two-mile stretch, culminating at Cockley Beck, located at the head of Dunnerdale. Notably, near the hamlet of Seathwaite, the Duddon is joined by the Tarn Beck flowing from Seathwaite Tarn. Continuing in a southwestern direction, the river passes Ulpha Bridge and flows beneath the Duddon Valley road before adopting a southerly course towards Duddon Bridge, where it is traversed by the A595 trunk road. Approximately one mile downstream from Duddon Bridge, the Duddon transitions into a tidal river as it merges into the Duddon Estuary, positioned between Furness and southwest Cumberland.The Duddon River held a special place in the heart of the esteemed poet William Wordsworth, who drew inspiration from its enchanting vistas. Between 1804 and 1820, Wordsworth composed a series of sonnets titled "The River Duddon, A Series of Sonnets." Initially published in 1820, this collection was later expanded to 34 sonnets in 1827 as part of Wordsworth's Miscellaneous Poems. Through his lyrical descriptions, Wordsworth skillfully captured the essence of the river and its surroundings, reflecting his profound connection to the Duddon. Additionally, a Farson streaming webcam is strategically positioned at Duddon Bridge to monitor river levels and potential flooding on the A595.