River Asker

{{Short description|River in Dorset, England}}{{use British English|date=October 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox river

| name = Asker

| name_native =

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| image = File:Ford and footbridge at Upton Manor Farm - geograph.org.uk - 532490.jpg

| image_size = 240px

| image_caption = A ford on the River Asker near Uploders

| map =

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| pushpin_map = United Kingdom Dorset

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| pushpin_map_caption= Location within Dorset

| subdivision_type1 = Country

| subdivision_name1 = United Kingdom

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| subdivision_type3 = County

| subdivision_name3 = Dorset

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| length = {{convert|13.378|km|mi|abbr=on}}

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| source1 =

| source1_location = Eggardon Hill, near Askerswell, Dorset

| source1_coordinates= {{coord|50|45|N|2|39|W|region:GB|display=inline}}

| source1_elevation =

| mouth =

| mouth_location = Bridport, Dorset

| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|50|43|N|2|45|W|region:GB|display=inline,title}}

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| river_system =

| basin_size = {{convert|25.484|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}

| tributaries_left = Mangerton Brook

| tributaries_right =

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The River Asker is a small river in Dorset, England. It rises on the chalk slopes of Eggardon Hill,{{cite web|url=http://www.riverfrome.com/?page_id=202|title=River Brit & River Asker|access-date=10 February 2014|publisher=Frome, Piddle & West Dorset Fisheries Association}} approximately {{convert|5|mi|km|0|spell=in}} east of Bridport. It flows west-northwest through the villages of Askerswell to which it gives its name, Uploders, where many cottages have gardens backing onto the river, and Loders. Here it heads west towards Bradpole, where it is joined by the small Mangerton Brook flowing in from the north. It then flows southwest into Bridport, passing underneath the A3066 and B3162 roads in the town. In this section there are weirs and fish ladders.{{cite web|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9973654.Chance_to_learn_about_fish_ladders_on_River_Asker_walk/|date=9 October 2012|title=Chance to learn about fish ladders on River Asker walk|access-date=10 February 2014|publisher=Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd (Dorset Echo)}} South of the B3162, between Bridport and Bothenhampton, the river also forms the western boundary of the Askers Meadow Nature Reserve, which was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&N=&ID=1306|publisher=Natural England|access-date=10 February 2014|title=Askers Meadow}} The river then flows under the B3157 road and joins the River Brit beside Palmers Brewery in the south of the town.