Camel Estuary

River Camel (Dowr Kammel)
River
The Camel valley in winter. Taken from between Pendavey bridge and Polbrock looking upstream.
Country	United Kingdom
Region	Cornwall
Tributaries
- left	River Ruthern
- right	De Lank River, River Allen
Source	Hendraburnick Down
- location	Bodmin Moor
- elevation	218 m (715 ft)
- coordinates	50°39′33″N 4°38′29″W / 50.65917°N 4.64139°W / 50.65917; -4.64139
Mouth	Padstow Bay
- location	Padstow, North Cornwall coast
- coordinates	50°33′02″N 4°53′37″W / 50.55056°N 4.89361°W / 50.55056; -4.89361Coordinates: 50°33′02″N 4°53′37″W / 50.55056°N 4.89361°W / 50.55056; -4.89361
Length	48 km (30 mi)
Basin	413 km2 (159 sq mi)
Sketch map of the River Camel and its tributaries

The River Camel (Cornish: Dowr Kammel, meaning crooked river) is a river in Cornwall, England, UK. It rises on the edge of Bodmin Moor and with its tributaries drains much of North Cornwall. The river flows into the eastern Celtic Sea between Stepper Point and Pentire Point having covered about 30 miles. The river is tidal upstream to Egloshayle and is popular for sailing, birdwatching and fishing. The name Camel comes from the Cornish language for 'the crooked one', a reference to its winding course. Historically the river was divided into three named stretches. Heyl (Cornish: Heyl, meaning estuary) was the name for the estuary up to Egloshayle, the River Allen (Cornish: Dowr Alen, meaning shining river) was the stretch between Egloshayle and Trecarne, whilst the Camel was reserved for the stretch of river between its source and Trecarne.

The River Camel rises on Hendraburnick Down (UK Grid Reference SX135875) on the edge of Bodmin Moor, an area which forms part of the granite spine of Cornwall. The river's course is through upper and middle Devonian rocks, predominantly the Upper Delabole Slates, Trevose Slates and Polzeath Slates that stretch to the coast, although Pentire Head is composed mainly of pillow lavas. The only active quarry in the River Camel catchment area is at Delabole and there has been mining for lead and silver on Pentire Head, and building stone at various locations. Further inland mines surrounding the Camel and its tributaries produced tin,lead, copper and iron; Mulberry Mine near Ruthernbridge produced 1300 tons of tin between 1859 and 1916. Several small China Clay pits also operated in the 19th century around Blisland.