Editing River Dodder

{{Short description|River in Dublin in Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox river
  | name              = River Dodder
| native_name       ={{native name|ga|An Dothra}}
|name_etymology=[[Old Irish]] ''dothar'', possibly meaning "river" or a [[Goidelic substrate hypothesis|Pre-Celtic substrate]] word<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khZaCwAAQBAJ&q=dothar+dodder&pg=PA101|title=Space and the Irish Cultural Imagination|first=Gerry|last=Smyth|date=18 July 2001|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781403913678|via=Google Books|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926200546/https://books.google.com/books?id=khZaCwAAQBAJ&q=dothar+dodder&pg=PA101|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dil.ie/18501|title=eDIL – Irish Language Dictionary|website=dil.ie|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032849/http://www.dil.ie/18501|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libraryireland.com/Wonders/Spensers-Irish-Rivers-5.php|title=Spenser's Irish Rivers (5) – Wonders of Ireland|website=libraryireland.com|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803123703/https://www.libraryireland.com/Wonders/Spensers-Irish-Rivers-5.php|url-status=live}}</ref>
  | image             = River Dodder Rathgar snow.JPG
  | image_caption     = Dodder through [[Rathgar]]
  | source1_location  = [[Kippure]] Mountain, [[County Dublin]]
  | mouth_location    = Dublin Docklands, ultimately [[Dublin Bay]] ([[River Liffey]])
  | length_km = 26|length_ref=<ref name="DodderCFRAMS">{{cite web |url=http://www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/waterprojects/Pages/RiverDodderCatchmentFloodRiskAssessmentManagementStudy.aspx |title=River Dodder Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management Study |publisher=Dublin City Council |access-date=2010-08-17 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195839/http://www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/waterprojects/Pages/RiverDodderCatchmentFloodRiskAssessmentManagementStudy.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
  | source1_elevation = {{convert|763|m|abbr=on}}<ref name="SEAScoping">{{cite report|url= http://www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/WasteWater/Documents/DodderSEAScopingReport.pdf |title=Strategic Environmental Assessment – Scoping Report |date=June 2008|page=13 |url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110613153150/http://www.dublincity.ie/WaterWasteEnvironment/WasteWater/Documents/DodderSEAScopingReport.pdf|archive-date=2011-06-13|publisher=Dublin City Council |access-date=2010-08-17}}</ref>
  | basin_size_km2 = 120.8|basin_size_ref=<ref name="SEAScoping"/>
  | river_system      = River Liffey
  | tributaries_left  = Cot Brook, Slade Brook, Glassavullaun, Ballymaice Stream, Jobstown (or Whitestown) Stream, Muckross Stream, Swan River
  | tributaries_right = Mareen's Brook, Ballinascorney Stream, Piperstown Stream, Owendoher River (with Whitechurch Stream), Little Dargle River (with Castle Stream), River Slang (Dundrum River, with Wyckham Stream) 
}}

The '''River Dodder''' ({{langx|ga|An Dothra}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/1165094|title=An Dothra/River Dodder|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023403/https://www.logainm.ie/en/1165094|url-status=live}}</ref> is one of the three main rivers in [[Dublin]], Ireland, the others being the [[River Liffey|Liffey]], of which the Dodder is the largest tributary, and the [[River Tolka|Tolka]].

==Course and system==
[[File:Upper Dodder.JPG|thumb|Dodder in the Dublin Mountains, 2.5&nbsp;km from its source]]

The Dodder rises on the northern slopes of [[Kippure]] in the [[Wicklow Mountains]] and is formed from several streams. The headwaters flow from Kippure Ridge, and include, and are often mapped solely as, Tromanallison (Allison's Brook), which is then joined by Mareen's Brook, including the Cataract of the Brown Rowan, and then the combined flow meeting the Cot and Slade Brooks.

In the river's valley at [[Glenasmole]] are the two Bohernabreena Reservoirs, a major part of the Dublin water supply system.

The Dodder is {{convert|26|km|mi}} long.<ref name="DodderCFRAMS"/> It passes the [[Dublin]] suburbs of [[Tallaght]] and then [[Firhouse]], travels by [[Templeogue]], passes [[Rathfarnham]], [[Rathgar]], [[Milltown, Dublin|Milltown]], [[Clonskeagh]], and [[Donnybrook, Dublin|Donnybrook]], and goes through [[Ballsbridge]] and past [[Sandymount]], before entering the [[River Liffey|Liffey]] near [[Ringsend]], along with the [[Grand Canal (Ireland)|Grand Canal]], at [[Grand Canal Dock]].

[[File:Dodder Milltown.jpg|thumb|255px|left|Dodder at Milltown]]
There is a [[weir]] just above the bridge at Ballsbridge and the river becomes tidal roughly where the bridge at [[Lansdowne Road]] crosses it. The Dodder and the [[River Tolka]] are Dublin's second-largest rivers, after the Liffey.

===Tributaries===
The Dodder's main tributaries after Glenasmole, in and prior to which many streams join, are the Jobstown (or Whitestown) Stream, the [[Owendoher River]] and its tributary the Whitechurch Stream, the Little Dargle River (with Castle Stream and other tributaries), [[River Slang|the Slang or Dundrum River]],<ref name="SEAScoping"/> the Swan River (or Water), and the small Muckross Stream.<ref name="Sweeney">{{cite book |last=Sweeney |first=Clair L. |year=1991 |title=The Rivers of Dublin |isbn=0-9505301-4-X |publisher=[[Dublin Corporation]] |location=Dublin, Ireland}}</ref><ref name="Doyle _p23">{{cite book |last=Doyle |first=Joseph W. |orig-year=2008 |year=2011 |title=Ten Dozen Waters: The Rivers and Streams of County Dublin |edition=3rd |page=23 |publisher=Rath Eanna Research |location=Dublin, Ireland |isbn=978-0-9566363-1-7}} ({{ORCID|0000-0001-8453-076X}})</ref>

===Link with the Poddle===
The [[River Poddle]], a tributary of the Liffey in its own right, was linked with the River Dodder from a large weir, in Balrothery, north of [[Firhouse]] village, from the 13th century. This weir, variously called the City, Great, Balrothery or Firhouse Weir, facilitated the offtake of part of the Dodder flow through a sluice and canal structure, known as the "City Watercourse", which ran through part of Templeogue. This link formerly provided much of Dublin City's water supply. It was partly piped in the mid-20th century, and the connection was later broken by housing development. All that remains now are a small channel from the weir, dead-ending less than 100m from the weir, and some unseen underground flows.

==History==
The Dodder lay well beyond the original city of Dublin but began to have an important impact in the 13th century when water from its course was diverted to boost the small Poddle River, which in turn supplied fresh water to parts of Dublin.

Over centuries, the Dodder and its tributaries drove many mills, crucial to Dublin's industrial base, but all are now disused. In many cases, all traces have been erased but there are some remaining, such as millraces. The [[de Meones family]], who gave their name to the nearby suburb of [[Rathmines]], owned a mill in that area as early as the mid-fourteenth century.<ref>Ball, F. Elrington ''"History of Dublin"'' Alexander Thom and Co. 1903 Vol. 2 p.100</ref> In the sixteenth century much of the surrounding lands belonged to the Talbot family, ancestors of the Talbots of Mount Talbot.  In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the [[Domvile Baronets (1686 creation)|Domvile family]], who owned much of [[Templeogue]], effectively controlled access to much of the river, which passed through their estates. At that time the Dodder was the main source of Dublin's [[drinking water]], and whether fairly or unfairly, the Domviles were accused of using their control of the Dublin water supply to further their own selfish ends, by threatening to divert its course if their wishes were not met. In fact, the legal right to control the course of the river was vested in the Mayor and Corporation of Dublin; this was confirmed by a court ruling as early as 1527.<ref>Gilbert, John T. editor ''Calendar of the Ancient Records of Ireland'' Joseph Polard, Dublin, 1889</ref>

===Flooding===
The river floods some surrounding areas from time to time, as it is too short and shallow to hold the volume of water which pours into it from its tributaries during heavy rain. The River Dodder "has a history of flooding and is known as a "flashy" river with a quick response to rainstorms."<ref>{{cite report|date= November 2014|title= Dodder Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan|publisher= Dublin City Council|url= http://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content/WaterWasteEnvironment/waterprojects/Documents/IBE0064_Dodder%20Final%20Plan_141107.pdf|access-date= 6 August 2017|archive-date= 6 August 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170806221330/http://www.dublincity.ie/sites/default/files/content/WaterWasteEnvironment/waterprojects/Documents/IBE0064_Dodder%20Final%20Plan_141107.pdf|url-status= live}}</ref>

A flood on the Dodder in March 1628 claimed the life of Arthur Ussher, Deputy Clerk to the [[Privy Council of Ireland]], who was "carried away by the current, nobody being able to succour him, although many persons.... his nearest friends, were by on both sides."<ref>Moriarty, Christopher: ''Down the Dodder'', Wolfhound Press, 1991, p.155</ref>

The two greatest Dodder floods before 1986 occurred on 25 August 1905, and on 3 and 4 August 1931. [[Hurricane Charley (1986)|Hurricane Charley]] (often spelt "Charlie" in Ireland) passed south of the country on 25 August 1986. In 24 hours, 200mm (almost 8 inches) of rain poured down on [[Kippure]] Mountain while 100mm fell on Dublin causing heavy river flooding, including the Dodder in many places, and hardship and loss were experienced.<ref name="SEAScoping"/>

It has long been recognised that the problem of flooding is very difficult to solve, due to the sheer volume of water which pours into the river during periods of heavy rainfall.<ref>Mallet, Robert ''"Report on the Dodder Reservoirs"'' 1844</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
There is an abundance of flora and fauna at the river. However, as the river flows through urban areas, pollution has long been a problem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/significant-fish-kill-on-river-dodder-1.1317645 |title=Significant fish kill on river Dodder |work=The Irish Times |date=2 March 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501230329/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/significant-fish-kill-on-river-dodder-1.1317645 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Flora===
Flora along the river is varied. [[Bryophyte]]s and [[algae]] are common with an abundance of [[Green algae|filamentous green algae]]. ''[[Crocosmia]]'', [[Japanese knotweed]] and [[Himalayan balsam]] are the only [[invasive species]] recorded along the river.
<ref name="wfdfish.ie">{{Cite web |url=http://wfdfish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ERBD_rivers_report_20111.pdf |title=Water Framework Directive Fish Stock Survey of Rivers in the Eastern River Basin District, 2011 |access-date=2 August 2013 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212448/http://wfdfish.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/ERBD_rivers_report_20111.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Fauna===
The Dodder is home to many water-bird species including [[mallard]], [[grey heron]], [[common kingfisher|kingfisher]], [[white-throated dipper|dipper]], [[Eurasian coot|coot]], [[common moorhen|moorhen]], [[grey wagtail]], [[common sandpiper]], [[Great cormorant|cormorant]] and [[mute swan]]; the [[Eurasian sparrowhawk|sparrowhawk]] nests in the trees lining the riverbanks. The [[red fox]] is common along the riverbank and the [[badger]] and [[otter]] have also been seen. In recent years a small feral population of [[mandarin duck]]s has become established by the river.  It was reported in 2013 that an [[The Irish Wildlife Trust|Irish Wildlife Trust]] survey found [[otter]]s living along the Dodder.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/dodder-otters-and-tolka-tarkas-1.1542530 |title=Dodder otters and Tolka Tarkas |work=The Irish Times |date=2013-09-28 |first=Paddy |last=Woodworth |access-date=28 September 2013 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928060552/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/dodder-otters-and-tolka-tarkas-1.1542530 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Fish present in the river include [[brown trout]], [[brown trout|sea trout]], [[stone loach]], [[three-spined stickleback]] and [[European eel]]. [[Atlantic salmon]] can also be found in the river's lower course.<ref name="wfdfish.ie"/>

[[Atlantic salmon]] and [[lamprey eel]]s are expected to return to most of the river after a more than 200-year absence pending the construction of [[fish ladder]]s<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/fish-passes-will-allow-salmon-scale-dodder-weirs-1.1478539 |title=Fish passes will allow salmon scale Dodder weirs |work=The Irish Times |date=30 July 2013 |first=Eoin Burke |last=Kennedy |access-date=31 July 2013 |archive-date=23 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823200226/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/fish-passes-will-allow-salmon-scale-dodder-weirs-1.1478539 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Fishing and angling====
[[File:River Dodder (sign).jpg|thumb|Angling association sign on the riverbank]]
The Dodder is a popular river for fishing and angling amongst Dubliners. The fishing season is open between 17 March and 30 September.

==Books==
The Dodder is the main focus of ''Down the Dodder'' ([[Christopher Moriarty (ichthyologist)|Christopher Moriarty]], 1998) and ''The Rivers Dodder and Poddle'' (McEntee and Corcoran, 2016), and is also discussed in multiple more general books, including ''The Rivers of Dublin'' (Sweeney, 1991), and ''Ten Dozen Waters: The Rivers and Streams of County Dublin'' (Doyle, 2008 et seq) and other volumes by the same author.<ref name="RSDub_22">{{cite book |last=Doyle |first=Joseph W. |title=The Rivers and Streams of Dublin (City of Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin) |publisher=Rath Eanna Research |place=Dublin |edition=2nd |isbn=978-1-9999497-4-7}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|File:The River Dodder running through Templeogue, circa 1950.jpg|Children playing in the river in [[Templeogue]] in the 1950s
|File:River Dodder at Springfield Avenue.jpg|Passing under the bridge at Springfield Avenue, Templeogue
|File:River Dodder in Dartry area, at weir (geograph 3545192).jpg|The river passes a weir in the Dartry area
|File:The Dodder River, with statuary, towards Classons Bridge (geograph 3545761).jpg|The river with in-flow sculpture
|File:River Dodder.jpg|The Dodder at [[Ballsbridge]]
|File:The River Dodder - 300 metres from its Liffey confluence.jpg|Overlooking the Grand Canal Basin, Facebook and the Bord Gáis Theatre, roughly 300 metres from the River Liffey.
}}

==See also==
{{Commons category}}
*[[Dodder Park]]
*[[List of Dublin bridges and tunnels#Bridges over the River Dodder|List of bridges over the River Dodder]]
*[[List of rivers of County Dublin]]
*[[Rivers of Ireland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Coord|53|16|41|N|6|21|8|W|display=title|region:IE_type:river}}

{{Rivers of County Dublin|state=collapsed}}

{{IrishRivers|state=collapsed}}

{{Commons category|River Dodder}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dodder, River}}
[[Category:River Dodder| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of County Wicklow]]
[[Category:Rivers of South Dublin (county)]]
[[Category:Rivers of Dublin (city)]]
[[Category:Templeogue]]
[[Category:Ballsbridge]]