History of the River Dee (Cheshire)

The River takes its name from Deva, a Celtic word for devine or goddess. The Romans also used this name for their fort that once stood beside the waters. The Dee was an important shipping river for them, and by the 12th Century Chester had become the 2nd most important port in the country.

Silting of the river led to suggestions for canalising some sections to make navigation more practical. Between 1735-6 a new channel was cut from the Welsh side of the exisiting river from Chester to Golfyn, opening to traffic the following year.

The lower sections of the river were straightened in the 18th century so that large ships could reach Chester.