View source for River Lee

{{short description|River crossing Cork (county and city), Ireland}}
{{use DMY dates|date=January 2020}}
{{use Irish English|date=January 2020}}
{{for|similarly-named rivers|River Lee (disambiguation)}}
{{distinguish|text=the River Lee that flows through [[Tralee]]}}
{{Infobox river
| name               = River Lee
| native_name        ={{native name|ga|An Laoi}}
| image             = The Gearagh 2.jpg
| image_caption     = The Gearagh, a submerged woodland situated on the Lee near [[Macroom]]
| map = River Lee Ireland Map.jpg
| map_caption = Map of the River Lee drainage basin
| source1_location  = [[Shehy Mountains]] near [[Gougane Barra]]
| mouth_location    = [[Celtic Sea]] at [[Cork Harbour]] mouth
| length            = {{convert|90|km|abbr=on}}<ref name="irishfisheries">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishfisheries.com/waterways.asp?W=44&P=4|title=Irishfisheries.com/waterways - River Lee|work=irishfisheries.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117103442/http://www.irishfisheries.com/waterways.asp?P=4&W=44|archive-date=2007-11-17}}</ref>
| discharge1_avg    = {{convert|40.4|m3/s|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.serbd.com/MultiDownloads/Creport/Chapters/Physical%20Description%20Ch3.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2015-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222354/http://www.serbd.com/MultiDownloads/Creport/Chapters/Physical%20Description%20Ch3.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}</ref>
| basin_size        = {{convert|1,253.5|km2|abbr=on}}<ref name="irishfisheries"/>
|tributaries_right=[[Curraheen River]]
}}

The '''River Lee''' ({{langx|ga|An Laoi}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/1166287|title=An Laoi/River Lee|website=Logainm.ie | publisher = Irish Placenames Commission | access-date = 17 December 2019 }}</ref>) is a [[river]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]].  It rises in the [[Shehy Mountains]] on the western border of [[County Cork]] and flows eastwards through [[Cork (city)|Cork]], where it splits in two for a short distance, creating an island on which Cork's city centre is built, then passes through [[Cork Harbour]] on the south coast, one of the largest natural harbours in the world, to empty into the [[Celtic Sea]].  The catchment area of the River Lee is 1,253&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.<ref name="auto">{{cite report|url = http://www.serbd.com/MultiDownloads/Creport/Chapters/Physical%20Description%20Ch3.pdf | title = South Eastern River Basin District Management System | work = South Eastern River Basin District Report | page = 38 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222354/http://www.serbd.com/MultiDownloads/Creport/Chapters/Physical%20Description%20Ch3.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> The long-term average flow rate of the River Lee is 40.4 cubic metres per second (m<sup>3</sup>/s).<ref name="auto"/>

A [[hydro-electric]] scheme was built on the river, upstream from Cork City, and this part of the river now contains the [[Carrigadrohid Lake|Carrigadrohid]] and [[Inniscarra Lake|Inniscarra]] [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]]. The river is crossed by 42 bridges, 29 of which are in Cork City, and one [[Jack Lynch Tunnel|tunnel]]. The river also provides an {{convert|8|km|mi|sing=on}} stretch of salmon fishing.{{cn|date=January 2020}}

==Name==
[[Ptolemy]]'s ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography]]'' (2nd century AD) described a river called Δαβρωνα (''Dabrona'') or Λαβρωνα (''Labrona''), which is sometimes considered to refer to the River Lee.<ref name="roman">{{cite web|url = http://www.romaneranames.uk/essays/ireland.pdf | title = Ireland | publisher = Roman Era Names | website = Romaneranames.uk | access-date = 1 January 2018 }}</ref> Though unconfirmed,<ref>{{cite book| author = Kieran McCarthy | title = Secret Cork | publisher = Amberley Publishing | date = 2017 |isbn = 9781445667157 | quote = ''The origin of the name Lee is sketchy and legend reputedly attributes the name to [..] the Milesians [..who..] named [the area] 'Corca Luighe' [..] The River Lee [..] has had many variations of spelling. In [..] the Book of Lismore, it is described as Luae. It has also been written as Lua, Lai, Laoi and the Latin Luvius'' }}</ref> the Irish name for the river, ''Laoi'', may derive from ''Corca Luighe'', which in turn derives from 'Luighe', the son of a [[Milesians_(Irish)#Myth|quasi-mythical Milesian noble]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://corkheritage.ie/?page_id=897 | publisher = CorkHeritage.ie | title = River Lee Project | access-date = 1 January 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| title=Cork: Historical and Descriptive Notices of the City of Cork from Its Foundation to the Middle of the 19th Century|date=1910|author=John Windele|author-link=John Windele|publisher=Guy and Company| page=3| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILVYAAAAcAAJ&q=%22Corca+Luighe%22&pg=PA3}}</ref>

There is also the Λουρ (''Lour''), a separate river which passes through [[Tralee]].<ref name="roman"/>

==Description==
===Sources===
The River Lee has its source in the Shehy Mountains near [[Gougane Barra]], where there is a forest park, chapel, hotel, and shop.

===Course===
[[File:River Lee at Cork.jpg|thumb|right|River Lee north channel]]
The Lee flows from the lake of Gougane Barra as a fast-paced torrent, but by the town of [[Ballingeary]] it eases and flows into [[Lough Allua]].  Departing the lough, running east, it again becomes a rapid flow before running into [[The Gearagh]], and Carrigadrohid feeder reservoirs, and then into the large [[Inniscarra Lake|Inniscarra reservoir]] created by [[Inniscarra Dam]].  Moving on, it flows down from the dam, in normal conditions a gentle river until it comes to [[Ballincollig]] Weir in Ballincollig Park; here it is dangerous to swimmers when in high water. The Lee then flows into the city under Inniscarra Bridge and flows parallel to the Carrigrohane road.  Along this section gauges monitor the water levels from the Inniscarra Dam.  The river flows over the Lee [[weir]] and then is split into the north and south channels at a [[sluice]] (it historically occupied the city area as a maze of channels).  This area is popular for recreation, [[kayaking]] and [[fishing]].  The two channels join again at the Cork docks and enter the extensive estuary and harbour, south of Glanmire, passing either side of Great Island ([[Cobh]] lies on the south coast) to fill the outer harbour, and reaching the open sea between Whitegate and Crosshaven.

===Tributaries===
====Upper course (above Inchigeela)====
High tributaries include the Owenagariff, the Bunsheelin, the Paudeen and the Garrifowa.<ref name="Milner_Lee">{{cite book |last1=Milner |first1=Liam |title=The River Lee and Its Tributaries |date=1975 |publisher=Tower Books |location=Cork, Ireland |edition=1}}</ref>

====Middle course (to the Dripsey)====
Tributaries joining below Lough Allua and Inchigeela include the River Toon, the extensive Sullane River system, from near Ballyvourney (tributaries include the Douglas, Finnow, Foherish and Laney or Laine Rivers) via [[Macroom]], the smaller Buinea and Glashagariff Rivers, and the [[Dripsey River|River Dripsey]] and its tributaries the Rylane and the Delaghinagh.<ref name="Milner_Lee"/>

====Near Cork city====
Below the last ESB dam, tributaries joining include the River Bride from Slievowen via [[Crookstown, County Cork|Crookstown]], Killumney and Ovens, and the [[River Shournagh]] (formed from the Blarney and Martin Rivers, and the Owennagearagh River; historically may have been the Awbeg River).<ref name="Milner_Lee"/>

====City area====
[[File:2017-06-15_7356x4904_cork_river_lee_south_channel.jpg|right|thumb|River Lee south channel]]
City area tributaries include the combined Maglin (from Ballincollig) and [[Curraheen River|Curraheen]] (occasionally Curragheen) Rivers, capturing the Glasheen River also and joining at the western end of the UCC complex, and the Kiln River (sometimes Bride River) which joins by the Christy Ring Bridge in the city centre, a little west of St. Patrick's Bridge<ref name="Milner_Lee"/><ref name="Goad">{{cite web | title = Insurance Plan of Cork (Goad Map) | date = 1897 | url = http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/mapsimages/goadplansofcorkcity/goadplans1897/1897_1_KeyPlan_Cork%20Goad%20book%201897_comp.pdf | via = corkpastandpresent.ie}}</ref> (formed in turn from a Bride River and the Kilnap or Glennamought River, later joined by the Glen River).  

====Tidal area====
Estuarine tributaries include the Glashaboy River, passing Glanmire (main tributaries the Black Brook, Cloghnageshee River and Butterstown River),<ref name="Milner_Lee"/> the Douglas or Tramore River (joined by the Trabeg River as it flows into the Douglas Channel, its estuary) which drains parts of the southern city, Owennacurra River (joined by the Dungurney River at Midleton), and the [[River Owenabue|Owenaboy River]] almost at the final mouth of the outer Lee estuary (the Liberty Stream joins this river, with significant flows from Cork Airport).<ref name="CFRAMS">{{cite report | title = Lee CFRAMS: Hydrology Report, Halcrow Group Ireland |publisher = OPW | place = Cork | date = 2008}}</ref>

==Recreation==
Recreation activities on the Lee include sailing, swimming, kayaking, water skiing. Several rowing clubs are based on the Lee including the "Lee Rowing Club", "Shandon Boat Club" and “Cork Boat Club”. Naomhoga Chorcai is also based on the Marina, and is Ireland's largest [[Currach]] (traditional canvas fishing boat) rowing club.{{fact|date=January 2018}} Angling is also common from the banks of the Lee Fields.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

==Flooding==
[[Image:Inniscarra dam.jpg|thumb|alt=The Inniscarra Dam|In 2009, water was released in large quantities from the [[Inniscarra Dam]], causing flood damage in Cork City]]
[[Image:Red Dragon scuplture during River Lee flooding, October 2023.jpg|thumb|Red Dragon sculpture in Lee Fields which are frequently flooded]]
Tidal considerations, combined with low-lying urban developments, and later dam management contribute to repeated flooding events on the Lee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opw.ie/en/leecframs/floodmaps/|title=Lee CFRAM Study Predictive Flood Maps | publisher = Office of Public Works|website=opw.ie }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lee.cfram.com/|title=Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study|date=8 May 2016|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508223553/http://www.lee.cfram.com/|archive-date=8 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite report| url = http://www.lee.cfram.com/downloads/documents/REP007_FinalReport.pdf | publisher = Halcrow Group Ireland | website = lee.cfram.com | title =  Lee Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Study - REP007 - Final Report | date = January 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160508223708/http://www.lee.cfram.com/downloads/documents/REP007_FinalReport.pdf | archive-date = 8 May 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lowerleefrs.ie/index.php/site/index | title = Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme | website = lowerleefrs.ie | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602194347/http://www.lowerleefrs.ie/index.php/site/index | archive-date = 2 June 2016 }}</ref> Specific streets in Cork city centre have been affected by floods more than 100 times since the mid-19th century.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corkpastandpresent.ie/places/oliverplunkettstreet/floodinginoliverplunkettstreet/|title=Flooding in Oliver Plunkett Street - Cork Past & Present|publisher = Cork City Libraries | website=corkpastandpresent.ie | access-date = 17 December 2019 }}</ref>

===2009 flooding===
In [[2009 Great Britain and Ireland floods|late 2009 the river flooded]], causing some of the most significant damage in Cork city for a number of centuries. The Lee Water Station was forced to shut down after being submerged under six metres of water, and resulted in 40% of Cork City (50,000 people) being without running water for over a week. 
<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/city-facing-bill--of-8364100m-to-fix--flood-damage-1951167.html|title=City facing bill of €100m to fix flood damage|access-date=2010-01-27| work=Irish Independent|date=2009-11-23}} Independent.ie's summary on the flood</ref> Lower-lying parts of the [[University College Cork]] campus were also flooded extensively, resulting in lectures being cancelled throughout the week.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/flood/ |title=University College Cork (UCC): Weather Notifications |access-date=2010-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124235848/http://www.ucc.ie/en/flood/ |archive-date=24 November 2009 |url-status=dead}} UCC's Notification webpage on the floods</ref> There was severe damage to the university's then newly built IT building, the Western Gateway Building, situated next to the river on a known floodplain, where, for example, a 300-seat auditorium was flooded to near ceiling height.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/en/media/Report-on-Major-Flood-Damage.pdf |title=Report-on-Major-Flood-Damage.pdf |access-date=2010-01-27}} PDF file on the damages</ref> To prevent issues upstream, the [[Electricity Supply Board|ESB]] made a controversial decision to release water from the Inniscarra hydro-electric dam. This released 535 tonnes of water per second into the already flooded river, raising the flood to 1.5 metres in parts of the city centre. The ESB insisted this was an essential move, and if water had not been released, the flooding would have been much worse.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riegel |first1=Ralph |last2=Melia |first2=Paul |date=2009-12-08 |title=ESB stands by decision to release water into city centre |work=Irish Independent |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/esb-stands-by-decision-to-release-water-into-city-centre-1966996.html |access-date=2010-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022203632/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/esb-stands-by-decision-to-release-water-into-city-centre-1966996.html |archive-date=2012-10-22}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[The Gearagh]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|River Lee, County Cork}}
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*[http://www.salmon-ireland.com/ Salmon Ireland, information on the Salmon rivers of Ireland]

{{Rivers of Ireland}}
{{County Cork}}
{{Cork Harbour |state=collapsed}}

{{coord|51|53|55|N|8|32|21|W|region:IE_type:river_source:kolossus-nlwiki|display=title}}

[[Category:River Lee| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of County Cork|Lee]]
[[Category:Geography of Cork (city)]]