Editing River Ouse, Yorkshire

{{Short description|River in North Yorkshire, England}}
{{For|other rivers named "Ouse"|Ouse (disambiguation){{!}}Ouse}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox river
| name               = River Ouse
| native_name        = 
| native_name_lang   = 
| name_other         = 
| name_etymology     = 
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image              = Dawn over the River Ouse - geograph.org.uk - 1088602.jpg
| image_size         = 
| image_caption      = The River Ouse in [[York]]
| image_alt          = Brick buildings on the riverside in the city of York at sunrise 
| map                = Ouse (Yorkshire).png
| map_size           = 280px
| map_caption        = River Ouse 
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_size   = 
| pushpin_map_caption= 
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1  = Country
| subdivision_name1  = [[England]]
| subdivision_type2  = County
| subdivision_name2  = [[Yorkshire]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
| subdivision_type5  = 
| subdivision_name5  = 
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length             = {{cvt|84|km|mi|order=flip}} 
| width_min          = 
| width_avg          = 
| width_max          = 
| depth_min          = 
| depth_avg          = 
| depth_max          = 
| discharge1_location= [[Skelton, York|Skelton]]<ref>[http://nrfa.ceh.ac.uk/data/station/spatial/27009 Ouse at Skelton] gauging station. This station only covers {{cvt|3315|km2|order=flip}} or 31% of the catchment area.</ref>
| discharge1_min     = 
| discharge1_avg     = {{cvt|51.7|m3/s|ft3/s|order=flip}}
| discharge1_max     = 
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1            = [[River Ure]]
| source1_location   = Cuddy Shaw Reach, near [[Linton-on-Ouse]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|54|2|4|N|1|16|30|W|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation  = {{cvt|10|m|order=flip}}
| mouth              = [[Humber estuary]]
| mouth_location     = [[Trent Falls]]
| mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|53|42|8|N|0|41|46|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation    = {{cvt|0|m|order=flip}}
| progression        = 
| river_system       = 
| basin_size         = {{cvt|10704|km2|order=flip}}
| tributaries_left   = [[River Derwent, Yorkshire|Derwent]]
| tributaries_right  = [[River Nidd|Nidd]], [[River Wharfe|Wharfe]], [[River Aire|Aire]], [[River Don, Yorkshire|Don]]
| custom_label       = 
| custom_data        = 
| extra              = 
}}
{{River Ouse, Yorkshire}}
The '''River Ouse''' ({{IPAc-en|uː|z}} {{respell|OOZ|'}}) is a river in [[North Yorkshire]], England. Hydrologically, the river is a continuation of the [[River Ure]], and the combined length of the River Ure and River Ouse makes it, at {{convert|208|km|mi|order=flip}}, the [[longest rivers of the United Kingdom|sixth-longest river of the United Kingdom]] and (including the Ure) the longest to flow entirely in one county. The length of the Ouse alone is about {{convert|84|km|mi|order=flip}} but the total length of the river is disputed.

It is a matter of opinion as to whether the River Ouse is formed at the confluence of the River Ure and the much-smaller Ouse Gill Beck at Cuddy Shaw Reach near [[Linton-on-Ouse]], about six miles downstream of the confluence of the [[River Swale]] with the River Ure. An alternative opinion is recorded in a publication published in ''The Yorkshire Post'' in a series dated 1891, written and illustrated by Tom Bradley. His description and bird's-eye-view maps—specifically in his account of the [[River Swale]]—suggests that the River Ouse starts at the confluence of the Swale and the Ure. His narrative states that the Ouse has no specific source, simply flowing from the stated confluence until it runs into the [[Humber]] at the confluence of the Ouse and Trent.

Continuing the path of the Ouse downstream from Linton-on-Ouse, it then flows through the city of [[York]] and the nearby towns of [[Selby]] and [[Goole]] before joining with the [[River Trent]] at [[Trent Falls]], near the village of [[Faxfleet]], then entering the Humber estuary.

The Ouse's system of tributaries includes the [[River Derwent, Yorkshire|Derwent]], [[River Aire|Aire]], [[River Don, South Yorkshire|Don]], [[River Hipper|Hipper]], [[River Wharfe|Wharfe]], [[River Rother, South Yorkshire|Rother]], [[River Nidd|Nidd]], [[River Swale|Swale]], [[River Ure|Ure]] and [[River Foss|Foss]]. Together they drain a large part of the [[Pennines]], and much of the [[Yorkshire Dales National Park|Yorkshire Dales]] and [[North York Moors National Park|North York Moors]].

The Ouse valley is a wide, flat plain; heavy rainfall higher in the river's [[drainage basin]] can bring severe flooding to settlements. In recent years [[York]], [[Selby]] and villages in between have been flooded.

== Sources ==
[[File:A flooded Queen&#039;s Staith - viewed from Ouse Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1730987.jpg|thumb|left|The 2010 floods in York, caused by the River Ouse]]
The traditional source of the Ouse is in the village of [[Great Ouseburn]], and is marked by a stone column reading "OUSE RIVER HEAD... OUSEGILL SPRING Ft. YORK 13&nbsp;miles BOROUGHBRIDGE 4&nbsp;miles".<ref>{{cite web|title=Great Ouseburn Parish Website|url=http://www.great-ouseburn.org/|access-date=31 August 2014}}</ref> The site is {{convert|35|m|yd|order=flip}} from the present course of Ouse Gill Beck, a small stream earlier known as ''Usekeld Beck'', meaning "Spring or source of the Ouse" (from [[Old Norse]] ''kelda'' "spring").<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=A. H.|author-link=Albert Hugh Smith|title=The Place-names of the West Riding of Yorkshire|volume=5|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1961|page=5}}</ref>

The start of the Ouse is now considered to be the point where Ouse Gill Beck joins the River Ure, {{convert|2.5|km|order=flip}} south-east of Great Ouseburn.

==Etymology==
The name was first recorded in about 780 as ''Usa''. It has been speculated that the name is of Romano-Brittonic (Celtic) origin, from an assumed word ''udso-'', assumed to be derived from the [[Indo-European root]] ''wed-'', meaning "water".<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=A. H.|author-link=Albert Hugh Smith|title=The Place-names of the West Riding of Yorkshire|volume=7|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1962|pages=133–134}}</ref> Alternatively, 'Isaf' and 'Ychaf' are common form of place names in modern Welsh (Romano Britonic's successor) meaning 'upper' and 'lower'. The letter 'U' forms an 'I' sound in Welsh. Other sources prefer a [[Proto-Celtic]] origin.<ref>{{Cite book | contribution = Ouse | year = 2010 | title = The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-Names | editor-last = Watts | editor-first = Victor | page =456 | publisher = Cambridge University Press |isbn=978 0 521 16855 7 }}</ref>

It has been suggested that the Ouse was once known as the 'Ure', but there seems to be no supporting evidence for this claim. The suggestion that the name derives from the Romano-British name of the Ure, assumed to be ''Isurā'' from the Roman name for [[Aldborough, North Yorkshire|Aldborough]], and over time evolved into ''Isis'' and finally the Saxon ''Ouse'', would go some way to explaining how the little tributary Ouse Gill Beck usurps the name of the much larger River Ure.<ref>Ekwall, E. ''English River Names'' (Oxford University Press: 1928). Waite, Alice. ''Exploring the Yorkshire Ouse'' (Countryside Productions: 1988)</ref> However the form Ouse is little changed from the eighth century.

== Navigation {{anchor|Ouse Navigation Act 1726|Ouze Navigation Act 1731}}==
The Ouse is navigable throughout its length. Seagoing vessels use the river as far as [[Howdendyke]]. The inland port of Goole also accepts seagoing vessels on a regular basis. Goole also offers access to the [[Aire and Calder Navigation]]. At Selby there is access to the [[Selby Canal]]. The river is tidal up to [[Naburn]]; the resultant [[tidal bore]] is known locally as "the Aegir".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewis|first1=David|title=River Ouse Bargeman|date=2017|publisher=Pen & Sword|location=Barnsley|isbn=978-1-47388-069-6|pages=15&ndash;16|edition=1}}</ref>

At Naburn there is a weir with locks, so that boats of {{convert|45.7|m|order=flip}} length and {{convert|4.6|m|order=flip}} beam can reach York.<ref>Szyca, G. (2011). Comprehensive Methods of the Minimum Safe Under Keel Clearance Valuation to the Restricted Tidal Waters. In: Weintrit, A. and Neumann, T. (Eds.) ''Methods and Algorithms in Navigation: Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation''. London: Taylor and Francis Group, pp.&nbsp;51–56.</ref><ref>Broadhead, I. E. (1982). ''Portrait of the Yorkshire Ouse''. London: Hale, p.&nbsp;126.</ref> Above York there is another weir with locks at [[Linton-on-Ouse]], which allows boats of {{convert|20|m|order=flip}} length to proceed to the River Ure Navigation.<ref name=waterways>{{cite web|url=https://www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/canals_rivers/yorkshire_ouse/yorkshire_ouse|publisher=Waterways Association|title=Yorkshire Ouse|access-date=5 November 2015}}</ref> Adjacent to the lock is [[Linton Lock Hydro]] plant. This is capable of generating enough electricity to power 450 homes.<ref>{{cite news |title=River Ouse set to power 450 homes near York |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17485171.river-ouse-set-power-450-homes-near-york/ |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=York Press |date=8 March 2019}}</ref>

The [[navigation authority]] is [[Associated British Ports]] from Trent Falls to [[Goole railway swing bridge]] at [[Skelton, East Riding of Yorkshire|Skelton]], and the [[Canal & River Trust]] upstream from there.<ref name=waterways/>

In the 18th and 19th&nbsp;centuries, there was considerable commercial traffic on the river, mainly from Selby, which then had a custom house, downstream. After the 1826 opening of the Aire and Calder Navigation, most traffic became concentrated on the port of Goole. This continues, although the coal trade which formed the backbone of the river trade has ceased.

==Settlements==
{{hatnote|(From the confluence of Swale and Ure)}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Lower Dunsforth]]
*[[Aldwark, Hambleton|Aldwark]]
*[[Linton-on-Ouse]]
*[[Newton-on-Ouse]]
*[[Nun Monkton]]
*[[Beningbrough]]
*[[Overton, North Yorkshire|Overton]]
*[[Nether Poppleton]]
*[[York]]
*[[South Bank, York|South Bank]]
*[[Fulford, North Yorkshire|Fulford]]
*[[Bishopthorpe]]
*[[Naburn]]
*[[Acaster Malbis]]
*[[Acaster Selby]]
*[[Cawood]]
*[[Kelfield, North Yorkshire|Kelfield]]
*[[Riccall]]
*[[Barlby]]
*[[Selby]]
*[[Hemingbrough]]
*[[Barmby on the Marsh]]
*[[Booth, East Riding of Yorkshire|Booth]]
*[[Hook, East Riding of Yorkshire|Hook]]
*[[Skelton, East Riding of Yorkshire|Skelton]]
*[[Goole]]
*[[Swinefleet]]
*[[Saltmarshe]]
*[[Reedness]]
*[[Little Reedness]]
*[[Yokefleet]]
*[[Whitgift, East Riding of Yorkshire|Whitgift]]
*[[Blacktoft]]
*[[Ousefleet]]
*[[Faxfleet]]
{{div col end}}
''(Joins Trent at Trent Falls to form Humber)<ref name=waterways/>

==Flooding==
With both the Ouse and the Foss running through York, flooding has been a problem throughout its documented history. Flooding is known to have occurred in 1263, 1316, 1564, 1625, 1638, 1947, 1978, 1982, [[Autumn 2000 Western Europe floods#Yorkshire|2000]], [[2007 United Kingdom floods#North Yorkshire|2007]], 2010 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Flood Heights on the Ouse {{!}} York Civic Trust |url=https://yorkcivictrust.co.uk/heritage/civic-trust-plaques/flood-heights-on-the-ouse/ |website=yorkcivictrust.co.uk |access-date=20 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=86 spectacular photos from three of York's worst ever floods |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14036240.86-spectacular-photos-from-three-of-yorks-worst-ever-floods/ |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=York Press |date=6 December 2015}}</ref> In November 2000, the floods reached a height of {{convert|5.4|m}} above sea level,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laycock |first1=Mike |title=Here's what happened when the Ouse last rose to 5.4 metres: 10 images from the 2000 floods |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/18238791.ten-images-press-archive-york-floods-2000/ |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=York Press |date=16 February 2020}}</ref> whilst over the Christmas period of 2015, the level reached {{convert|5.2|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |title=York floods 2015: How the devastating floods unfolded and how York rallied superbly |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/ryedale/14168299.york-floods-2015-how-the-devastating-floods-unfolded-and-how-york-rallied-superbly/#:~:text=But%20despite%20the%20history%2C%20the,above%20its%20normal%20summer%20level. |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=York Press |date=28 July 2016}}</ref> A [[River Foss Barrier|barrier]] was installed on the mouth of the River Foss in York city centre in 1989,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tapsell |first1=S.&nbsp;M. |last2=Tunstall |first2=S.&nbsp;M. |last3=Fordham |first3=M. |title=Flooding and Flood Defences in York |url=http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:2220/OBJ/19000278.pdf |website=environmentdata.org.uk |publisher=National Rivers Authority |access-date=20 October 2020 |page=15 |format=PDF |date=1993}}</ref> so that when the Ouse was in flood, water would not run upstream of the Foss and flood the city.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gosden |first1=Emily |last2=Finnigan |first2=Lexi |title=York floods: Why did the Foss Barrier fail? |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12072220/York-floods-Why-did-the-Foss-Barrier-fail.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/12072220/York-floods-Why-did-the-Foss-Barrier-fail.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=28 December 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Flooding occurs typically due to heavy rainfall further upstream in the catchment area of the Ouse (Swale, Ure, Nidd) which covers {{convert|3300|km2|order=flip}}, (the Foss catchment is {{convert|200|km2|order=flip}}.{{sfn|STF|2017|p=11}}

Low-lying land around the villages of Kelfield, Riccall, Wistow and Cawood, which are south of York, are designated as a floodplain, though it can cause damage to properties there. In February 2020, it was estimated that over {{Cvt|3000|acre}} of fields were under floodwater, making the size comparable to that of [[Windermere]], England's largest natural lake.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newton |first1=Grace |title=The flooded Ouse washlands in Yorkshire contain almost as much water as Lake Windermere |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/weather/flooded-ouse-washlands-yorkshire-contain-almost-much-water-lake-windermere-2001687 |access-date=20 October 2020 |work=The Yorkshire Post |date=27 February 2020}}</ref>

As the Ouse is tidal as far inland as Naburn, this means that flooding can occur due to heavy rainwater or tidal surges in the downstream settlements of Selby and Goole.<ref>{{cite report |last1=Longfield |first1=Sean Anthony |title=River response to recent environmental change in the Yorkshire Ouse basin, northern England |date=1998 |publisher=University of Leeds |location=Leeds |page=191|oclc=59479441}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="180px" heights="120px">
File:Nun Monkton Priory - geograph.org.uk - 184550.jpg|[[Nun Monkton]], north west of York
File:High Water York - geograph.org.uk - 1588405.jpg|The River Ouse in the city of York
File:The A64 crossing the river Ouse - geograph.org.uk - 1220879.jpg|The A64 crossing the River Ouse, [[Bishopthorpe]], York
File:Approach to Naburn Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1512256.jpg|The Marina in [[Naburn]], south of York
File:River Ouse at Selby - geograph.org.uk - 644740.jpg|River Ouse at [[Selby]]
File:Goole rail bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1520503.jpg| Goole swing rail bridge [[Goole]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}}
*[[Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve]]
*[[Bridges of York]]
*[[List of crossings of the River Ouse, Yorkshire]]
*[[Rivers of the United Kingdom]]
*[[York City Rowing Club]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
*{{cite report|title=Slowing the Flow in the Rivers Ouse & Foss|date=July 2017|url=https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/yorkshire/slowing-the-flow-in-the-rivers-ouse-and-foss-a-lon/supporting_documents/York%20Slowing%20the%20Flow%20Report.pdf|website=consult.environment-agency.gov.uk|format=PDF|access-date=20 October 2020|ref={{harvid|STF|2017}} }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|River Ouse, Yorkshire}}

{{Rivers of Yorkshire}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ouse}}
[[Category:River Ouse, Yorkshire| ]]
[[Category:River navigations in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rivers of North Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Rivers of the East Riding of Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Ouse catchment| ]]
[[Category:Geography of York|River Ouse]]