Estuary detail

Below is an interactive map and a table of parameters derived through various sources – Nature Conservancy Council (Davidson et al, 1991), EMPHASYS (2000c), Dyer (2002) in Futurecoast, Townend (2005), ABPmer (2024) and ABPmer (2025). The data is indicative of recently determined bulk properties suitable for broadscale intercomparison of estuaries.

Alternatively take a look in the viewer.

Estuaries Database Viewer View in Estuaries Database Viewer
Estuary ID 12 
JNCC ID 40 
Name of estuary Esk Estuary (Cumbria) 
Alternative name  
Grid reference SD085965  
WFD water body ID GB531207408400 
WFD water body name Esk (W) 
MAGIC URL link MAGIC link 1 
Latitude 54.35167929 
Longitude -3.41427901 
JNCC classification Bar Built Estuary  
Updated classification Spit Enclosed   read more on estuary classification..
Tidal classification Macrotidal  
Spring tidal range (m) 7.64  
Mean High Water Springs (mODN) 4.18 
Mean Low Water Springs (mODN) -3.46 
Mean Tide Level (mODN) 0.27 
Mean river flow (m3/s) 7.24 
Low river flow (m3/s) 2.14  
High river flow (m3/s) 15.5 
Name of furthest downstream flow gauge Cropple How  
DEFRA Hydrology Gauge Data Explorer URL link DEFRA Hydrology Gauge link    
Area of basin (Ha) 1134  
Intertidal area (Ha) 1049  
Shoreline length (km) 42.2  
Channel length (km) 11.4  
Mouth width (m) 730  
Valley width (m) 5000  
Volume at mean tide level (m3) 80  
Surface area at mean tide level (m2) 800  
CSA at mean tide level (m2)  
Volume at low water (m3) 0  
Surface area at low water (m2) 0  
CSA at low water (m2)  
Volume at high water (m3) 751000 
Surface area at high water (m2) 542000 
CSA at high water (m2)  
Volume of tidal prism (m3) 751000 
Dronkers' gamma (nondim)  
Storage volume over intertidal (m3) 751000 
Channel volume to MTL (m3) 0 
Ratio of storage volume to channel volume (nondim)  
Hydraulic depth at MTL (m) 0.1 
DEFRA Catchment Data Explorer URL link DEFRA Catchment link   
Estuary template download link  

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Last Modified on: 20 June 2025
Printed from the Estuary Guide on 01/11/2026 02:32:36