Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley
Caution
This spot's annual water-quality classification is Poor. Bathing isn't recommended.
Checked against the Environment Agency (England) · data last changed 23 days ago.
This spot’s record
Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley is in Bradford, about 9 km from Otley. Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley has been rated Poor in each of the 4 bathing seasons classified by the Environment Agency (England), 2022 through 2025. Across the 12 most recent samples published by the Environment Agency (England), E. coli counts ranged from 180 to 8,700 per 100 ml. The highest was taken on 21 August 2026. A classification is calculated from percentiles across four seasons, so no single reading decides how this water is rated.
Recent sample results
The last 12 bacterial samples published by the Environment Agency (England), most recent on the right. Counts are per 100 ml of water.
Dashed line: 500 E. coli per 100 ml, the Bathing Water Directive guide value for coastal / transitional waters.
| Date | E. coli | Enterococci | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Sept | 380 | 260 | — |
| 14 Sept | 620 | 340 | — |
| 11 Sept | 330 | 210 | — |
| 1 Sept | 980 | 750 | — |
| 27 Aug | 270 | 160 | — |
| 21 Aug | 8700 | 5700 | — |
A bathing water's official classification is calculated from percentiles across four bathing seasons, not from any single sample — so one high reading doesn't mean a spot is unsafe, and one low reading doesn't mean it's clean today.
Quality over the last 4 years
- Poor2022
- Poor2023
- Poor2024
- Poor2025
This water has been rated Poor in each of the last 4 years.
Facilities & access
- Parking
- YesCar park about 250 m away (OpenStreetMap)
- Toilets
- YesPublic toilets about 300 m away (OpenStreetMap)
Storm overflows nearby
1 of the 8 storm overflows within 5 km is discharging right now, according to the water company that operates them. Heavy rain makes combined sewers overflow into rivers and the sea by design.
- Discharging nowabout 1.1 km awayStarted Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 0.0 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 0.2 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 0.4 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 0.7 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 1.0 km awayDischarges into Spicey Gill (River Wharfe)Last discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 1.3 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
- Not dischargingabout 1.5 km awayDischarges into River WharfeLast discharge ended Reported by Yorkshire Water
These are the water company’s own reports of when an overflow is operating, not a measurement of the water at this spot. A discharge into a river some distance away may never reach here; a quiet list does not mean the water is clean. The swim status above comes from the bathing-water monitoring body and does not use this data.
Official water quality
Classified Poor in 2025.
Official bathing-water profileCommon questions
- Can you swim at Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley right now?
- Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley is currently marked "Caution". This spot's annual water-quality classification is Poor. Bathing isn't recommended. This reflects the latest data published by the Environment Agency (England). Conditions change quickly — always assess the water yourself before entering.
- What is the water quality like at Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley?
- the Environment Agency (England) classified Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley as Poor in 2025. Classifications are a rolling assessment of bacterial samples taken over four bathing seasons, measured against E. coli and intestinal enterococci limits set by the EU Bathing Water Directive.
- Is there a swimming ban or warning at Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley?
- There are no active bathing restrictions published by the Environment Agency (England) for Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley. That is not a guarantee of safety — assess conditions yourself.
- What facilities are there at Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley?
- Wharfe at Cromwheel, Ilkley has toilets, parking. Facility information comes from OpenStreetMap contributors.
This spot is also in
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Nearby swimming spots
See all swimming spots near Otley — about 9 km away.