Brinkworth Brook
Introduction The '''Brinkworth Brook''' is a tributary of the Bristol Avon. It rises near Broad Hinton in Wiltshire in the West Country of England, and flows in a north and then westerly direction, joining the Avon at Great Somerford.
Course The Brinkworth Brook rises at Broad Town, just north of Broad Hinton, near Royal Wootton Bassett. It flows first in a northerly direction, and then just south of Royal Wootton Bassett it is joined by minor tributaries from Westlea in Swindon and a reservoir at Tockenham Wick. The stream then passes under the M4 motorway and turns to the west past Brinkworth, joined on the right by the Thunder Brook near Dovey's Farm. At Somerford Bridge the Brinkworth Brook turns south and joins the Bristol Avon near Dauntsey House at Great Somerford.
History The brook forms the southern and part of the western boundaries of the parish of Brinkworth. There is evidence of a watermill, possibly on the Brinkworth Brook in the 16th century.
Natural history The Brinkworth Brook is typical of Wiltshire's chalk streams, with gravelled beds. Floating water crowfoot ''Ranunculus'', Desmoulin's whorl snail, the sedge ''Carex'' and the reeds ''Phragmites''and ''Glyceria maxima''. In addition, "diverse fish assemblages, and .. varied aquatic invertebrate fauna" are to be found.
Hydrology The Brinkworth Brook suffers from pollution from highway run-off, specifically the M4 motorway.
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