The River Mersey is a major river in North West England.
The Mersey starts at the confluence of the River Tame and River Goyt in Stockport. It flows westwards through south Manchester, then into the Manchester Ship Canal at Irlam, becoming a part of the canal and maintaining its water levels.
After 4 miles (6.4 km) it exits the canal, flowing towards Warrington where it widens.
It then narrows as it passes between Runcorn and Widnes.
The river widens into a large estuary, which is 3 miles (4.8 km) across at its widest point near Ellesmere Port. The course of the river then turns northwards as the estuary narrows between Liverpool and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula to the west, and empties into Liverpool Bay.
In total the river flows 69 miles (111 km).
