River Eden (Cumbria) - United Kingdom

The river rises south of Kirkby Stephen on the Cumbria /Yorkshire border and flows northwards to Carlisle before discharging to the Solway Firth. The eastern part of the catchment is drained by short, relatively steep streams from the Pennines; the western part includes tributaries of the Eamont system which arise in the eastern hills of the Lake District, and the major lakes, Ullswater and Haweswater. Water quality in the upper reaches is classified as good and drinking water is abstracted to supply the city of Carlisle. The river is excellent for salmon (Salmo salar) fishing and also supports a sea trout (Salmo trutta) run. The sampling site is in an upland farming area at an altitude of about 100 m AOD. The surrounding countryside is hilly, with some woodlands, rising to the bare slopes of the Pennine hills to the east. These have been mined for lead and silver in historic times, and gypsum is still extracted. There is some sewage discharge into the river.