The Thames

[matthew13]

At London bridge, is the Thames salt water, fresh water or brackish?

[Peter Pedant]

I havent swum in the Thames
sort of odd as I was student in London

Oh, I rowed there, it is fresh

Although it goes up and down, at that point it would be be fresh water backing up

Teddington Lock in my opinion is the clincher

NB the sea is fresh water up to 200mi from the run off [mouth] of the Amazon

[hairygrape]

According to the section "Tidal Effects"is website:

http://www.the-river-thames.co.uk/weather.htm

the Thames is essentially freshwater as far downstream as Battersea.

The page also states that above Teddington the River contains fresh water whereas below Teddington the water is saline but the degree of salinity changes with the state of the tide and the volume of fresh water coming downstream, which confirms what Peter said.

I think brackish is probably the best description at London Bridge.

[Peter Pedant]

Blimey Direct observation (1970-s) and theory coincide ! there's a thing.

brackish - bleeeeuch is more like it.

Now I HAVE swum down the Irk (Manchester) from Clifton to Central Manchedster - Victoria and THAT is a sewer. Why did I do it ? I plead insanity.....