Great Eau

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The Great Eau at Barfen Farm near Gayton le Marsh

The Great Eau is a river in Lincolnshire, rising amongst the Chalk Streams of the Lincolnshire Wolds and running to Saltfleet Haven on the coast. It is joined by its companion stream, the Long Eau.

• Location map: 53°25’0"N, -0°13’0"E

The name Eau for a river is common in Lincolnshire: it comes not from French, but from the Old English word ea which just means "river". The additional "u" appears to be from a Victorian 'correction' by a cartographer more familiar with the French language.

File:Calceby.jpg Calceby brook and spring, the source of the Great Eau

File:The tidal reach of the Great Eau from the bridge.jpg Tidal outflow of the Great Eau

Outside links

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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Great Eau)

• Chalk Streams of Lincolnshire: Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service