Tidal Bore on the River Lune at Sunderland Point, 11th Sept 2014

Date: 11th September 2014

I captured the Lune bore opposite the row of houses (First Terrace) at Sunderland point. I actually heard it before I saw it, which is unusual. The bore wasn’t very high, probably 2ft at most, alternating between breaking and rolling waves. As it neared the position I was filming from it became more undular, and then disappeared altogether. The bore rises and falls on its journey up river, depending on river depth and bathymetry.

The river mud banks are huge, and it is hard to imagine the river rising so much. When spring high tides are due, the river tops the mud banks and covers the access road to Sunderland Point. If you are visiting, it is important to vacate Sunderland Point no less than two hours before high tide at Heysham, in order avoid being stranded. It is worth noting that the visitor parking area at Sunderland Point gets flooded during the monthly spring tides.

Expected high tide at Heysham on 11th September, 2014 : 10.2m at 13:32

The bore passed First Terrace at 10:25

Largest wave observed approximately 2ft (61cm) high. There was little freshwater in the river as it had not rained for quite a while.

I filmed the same bore again later on as it rolled into Lancaster – search YouTube for : tidal bore rob bridges