River Swale

Not to be confused with The Swale.

River Swale
The River Swale near Richmond.
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Confluence of Birkdale Beck and Great Sleddale Beck.
• elevation	366 m (1,201 ft)
Mouth
• location	River Ure, near Myton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire
• elevation	11 m (36 ft)
Length	117.8 km (73.2 mi)

River Swale
Birkdale Beck/Gt Sleddale Beck Holme Ash Gill footbridge footbridge Little Ash Gill Great Ash Gill High Bridge  B6270  Whitsundale Beck Low Bridge Wain Wath Force Blackburn Beck Park Bridge Rainby Force Stonesdale Beck Hoggarts Leap Catrake Force East Gill Force Oldfield gutter Swinner Gill West Arn Gill Island footbridge Straw Beck Routin Gill Oxnop Gill Ivelet Bridge Shore Gill  B6270  Gunnerside Gill Island Haverdale Beck Isles Bridge Mirk gill Birks Gill Island Scabba Wath Bridge Browne Gill Barney Beck Island Arkle Beck Grinton Bridge  B6270  Cogden Beck Hays Gill Island Gill Beck Oxque Beck Downholme Bridge Island Island Marske Beck Island Clapgate Beck Island Lownethwaite Bridge  A6108  Bridge Street, Richmond Station Road, Richmond  A6136  footbridge Sand Beck footbridge Island Colburn beck footbridge Skeeby Beck  A1(M)  footbridge Catterick Bridge  A6138  Island Island Island Brough Beck Fiddale Beck Kiplin Beck Stoney Leigh Bridge The Stell Island Mill Beck Island Island Swale Bridge (Wensleydale Railway) Morton Bridge  A684  Bedale Beck River Wiske Howe Beck Skipton Bridge  A61  Topcliffe Bridge  A167   A168  Cod Beck Cundall Beck Thornton Bridge footbridge Myton Bridge River Ure

The River Swale is a river in Yorkshire, England and a major tributary of the River Ure, which itself becomes the River Ouse, emptying into the North Sea via the Humber Estuary.

The name Swale is from the Anglo-Saxon word Sualuae meaning rapid and liable to deluge. Annual rainfall figures of 1800mm p.a. in the headwaters and 1300mm p.a. in the lower waters over a drop of 148m in 32 km, gives proof to its name. The river gives its name to the valley through which it flows, namely Swaledale.

The river and its valley are home to many types of flora and fauna typical to the Yorkshire Dales. Like similar rivers in the region, the river carves through several types of rock and has features typical of both river and glacial erosion. The River Swale has been a contributory factor in the settlements that have been recorded throughout its history. It has provided water to aid in the raising of crops and livestock, but also in the various mining activities that have occurred since Roman times and before.

The river is said to be the fastest flowing in England and its levels have been known to rise 3 metres in 20 minutes.

Course

The source of the River Swale is at the confluence of the Birkdale Beck and the Great Sleddale Beck. The river flows north-north-east past lead mines on its northern bank and the end of Whitsundale and then easterly towards the first of many waterfalls in the headwaters. After flowing over Wain Wath Force the river continues south-east over Hoggarts Leap and Catrake Force near Keld, before it reaches East Gill Force and Kisdon Force. Shortly after Swinner Gill joins the river it swings sharply south towards the village of Muker where Straw Beck joins and the river turns east again. The river flows past Gunnerside towards Feetham where it turns north-east for a short while before returning east past Healuagh, Reeth and Grinton. The river then swings gently south-east and east below Marrick before turning north-eastward and then north past Marske.

It eventually returns eastward near Hudswell before it flows past the main town of the valley, Richmond. The river then starts a series of long south-east meanders past Brompton-on-Swale and under the A1 at Catterick Bridge before turning south past Catterick. The river continues long south and south-east meanders past Thrintoft and Morton-on-Swale. As it starts to pursue a more constant southerly flow it is joined by the River Wiske before passing Skipton-on-Swale, Catton, Topcliffe and Asenby. It then flows past Helperby and Myton-On-Swale before joining the River Ure.

River levels

Monitoring station	Station elevation	Low water level	High water level	Record high level
Park Bridge	325 m (1,066 ft)	0.00 m (0 ft)	2.50 m (8.2 ft)	3.04 m (10.0 ft)
Grinton Bridge	178 m (584 ft)	0 m (0 ft)	1.5 m (4.9 ft)	2.51 m (8.2 ft)
Richmond Lownthwaite Bridge	114 m (374 ft)	0.00 m (0 ft)	2.0 m (6.6 ft)	4.19 m (13.7 ft)
Catterick Bridge	60 m (200 ft)	0.3 m (0.98 ft)	2.40 m (7.9 ft)	3.48 m (11.4 ft)
Morton-on-Swale	27 m (89 ft)	0.13 m (0.43 ft)	5.80 m (19.0 ft)	6.47 m (21.2 ft)
Crakehill	16 m (52 ft)	0.22 m (0.72 ft)	3 m (9.8 ft)	5.45 m (17.9 ft)
Myton-on-Swale	12 m (39 ft)	0.44 m (1.4 ft)	3.44 m (11.3 ft)	6.02 m (19.8 ft)

• Low and High Water Levels are an average figure.

Natural history

The River Swale and its valley support a range of habitats including broadleaved, mixed and conifer woodland as well as hay meadows and grasslands. Limestone scar, bracken, scrub and heather moorland can also be found. Amongst the species of tree that can be found are ash, birch, rowan and bird cherry along with shrubs such as hawthorn, hazel and holly. There are smaller populations of yew and sycamore. Pine, larch and spruce occur mostly in plantations with alder and willow common along the river banks. The many hay meadows are filled with buttercup and wood cranesbill.

Geology

There are three distinct geological areas in Upper and Mid Swaledale. the upper reaches of the river flow over Carboniferous, Permian and Triassic rock, all of which are atop a layer of Lower Paleozoic beds. These rocks are rich in minerals and metalliferous sulfide ores such as Galena, Sphalerite, Chalcopyrite and Bravoite. There are also deposits of Fluorite, Barite, Witherite, Calcite, Dolomite and Barytocalcite.

Along the valley sides can be seen the typical Dales geology of Yoredale beds, alternating strata of Limestone and Gritstone. Small seams of coal, particularly around Tan Hill, have been found and worked. During the last Ice Age, the glacier that dominated the valley was responsible for broadening it and altering the course of the river around Keld and Round Howe. It was also responsible for cutting the Kisden Gorge. Retreat moraines lower in the river valley can be seen around Gunnerside and Grinton Bridge.

History

The earliest evidence of occupation in the river valley can be dated to the Mesolithic and Neolithic Ages with the discovery of flint tools and arrowheads. Around Harkerside are some small stone circles that date to the Bronze Age and some Iron Age defensive earthworks. Evidence of lead mining has been traced back to Roman times with finds at the Hurst mine. This industry seemed to decline until after the Danish invasions of the area. During the major ecclesiastical building of the 12th and 13th centuries, lead became a valuable commodity and mining once again increased in the valley. Evidence of the lead mining can still be seen from the remains of the 18th century practice of 'hushing' that involved creating turf dams across gills that were then released to wash away topsoil to expose the ore veins.

Around the 8th century, the river valley was settled by Angles who established themselves at Reeth, Stainton, Grinton Bridge and Fremington. Two hundred years later the upper valley was settled by Norsemen. After the Norman invasion, the lands of the valley were given to Count Alan of Brittany who built the castle at Richmond between 1071 and 1091. It was built on a bluff overlooking the River Swale.

Economy

Over the centuries, lead mining and cattle farming have been the main industries, but competition from the rest of the world saw them decline by the end of the 19th century. Some crop farming also took place, most notably during the warm periods of the 13th century.

Tourism now plays a major role in the economy of the river valley. the Yorkshire Dales Cycle Way follows the valley between Fremington and Gunnerside. The Coast to Coast Walk passes through Richmond to Reeth and is crossed at Keld by the Pennine Way, which goes through the upper valley from Buttertubs Pass to Muker.

Gallery

Along the River Swale

• 
  Whitsundale Beck joins the River Swale
• 
  Wain Wath Force, near Keld, with the limestone cliffs of Cotterby Scar in the background.
• 
  Lower Catrake Force
• 
  Kisdon Force on River Swale
• 
  River Swale near Muker
• 
  River Swale flowing under Downholme Bridge
• 
  Grinton Bridge
• 
  Ivelet Bridge
• 
  River Swale from Catterick Bridge
• 
  Morton Bridge, A684 Crossing the River Swale
• 
  River Swale near Brompton-on-Swale
• 
  River Swale from bridge near Brafferton

Lists

Settlements	Location	Tributaries	Confluence	Crossings	Location
Keld	54.405°N 2.168°W / 54.405; -2.168	Holme Ash Gill	54°24′11.37″N 2°13′6.08″W	High Bridge (B6270)	54°24′26.87″N 2°12′1.64″W
Muker	54.38378°N 2.14673°W / 54.38378; -2.14673	Little Ash Gill	54°24′20.38″N 2°12′32.63″W	Low Bridge	54°24′33.78″N 2°11′23.97″W
Gunnerside	54.379°N 2.076°W / 54.379; -2.076	Great Ash Gill	54°24′26.33″N 2°12′6.83″W	Park Bridge	54°24′31.32″N 2°10′38.17″W
Low Row	54.37593°N 2.03088°W / 54.37593; -2.03088	Whitsunudale Beck	54°24′27.99″N 2°11′50.00″W	Ivelet Bridge	54°22′32.50″N 2°6′16.39″W
Reeth	54.3876°N 1.9422°W / 54.3876; -1.9422	Blackburn Beck	54°24′33.11″N 2°10′48.27″W	Gunnerside Great Brsige (B6270)	54°22′32.31″N 2°4′43.47″W
Grinton	54.38094°N 1.92974°W / 54.38094; -1.92974	Stonesdale Beck	54°24′31.73″N 2°10′28.76″W	Isles Bridge	54°22′22.13″N 2°2′11.46″W
Richmond	54.4035°N 1.7373°W / 54.4035; -1.7373	Oldfield Gutter	54°24′5.88″N 2°9′6.11″W	Scabba Wath Bridge	54°22′49.35″N 1°59′31.68″W
Brompton-on-Swale	54.3917°N 1.6619°W / 54.3917; -1.6619	Swinner Gill	54°23′56.07″N 2°8′36.93″W	Grinton Bridge (B6270)	54°22′55.86″N 1°55′47.78″W
Catterick Bridge	54.38864°N 1.65047°W / 54.38864; -1.65047	West Arn Gill	54°23′44.50″N 2°8′25.28″W	Downholme Bridge	54°23′16.77″N 1°49′36.49″W
Catterick	54.372°N 1.623°W / 54.372; -1.623	Straw Beck	54°22′35.40″N 2°8′3.83″W	Lownethwaite Bridge (A6108)	54°24′5.29″N 1°46′34.13″W
Great Langton	54.362630°N 1.547290°W / 54.362630; -1.547290	Routin Gill	54°22′29.20″N 2°7′25.83″W	Bridge Street, Richmond	54°24′1.96″N 1°44′25.15″W
Little Fencote	54.332692°N 1.567842°W / 54.332692; -1.567842	Oxnop Gill	54°22′32.11″N 2°6′17.05″W	Station Road, Richmond (A6136)	54°24′14.23″N 1°43′50.77″W
Morton-on-Swale	54.32181°N 1.50314°W / 54.32181; -1.50314	Shore Gill	54°22′34.86″N 2°5′56.92″W	A1 road (Great Britain)	54°23′17.81″N 1°39′21.14″W
Bedale	54.2833°N 1.5833°W / 54.2833; -1.5833	Gunnerside Gill	54°22′32.05″N 2°4′42.41″W	Catterick Bridge (A6138)	54°23′21.44″N 1°39′5.25″W
Gatenby	54.28515°N 1.50112°W / 54.28515; -1.50112	Haverdale Beck	54°22′20.68″N 2°2′15.51″W	Stoney Leigh Bridge	54°21′46.06″N 1°33′15.41″W
Maunby	54°16′N 1°27′W	Mirk gill	54°22′18.48″N 2°1′46.33″W	Swale Bridge (Wensleydale Railway)	54°19′24.12″N 1°30′38.12″W
Pickhill	54.24705°N 1.47007°W / 54.24705; -1.47007	Birks Gill	54°22′19.31″N 2°1′44.01″W	Morton Bridge (A684)	54°19′14.45″N 1°30′41.00″W
Skipton-on-Swale	54.212650°N 1.440185°W / 54.212650; -1.440185	Scabba Wath	54°22′50.16″N 1°59′15.05″W	Skipton Bridge (A61)	54°12′45.38″N 1°26′37.19″W
Catton	54.197°N 1.434°W / 54.197; -1.434	Barney Beck	54°22′53.87″N 1°58′37.77″W	Topcliffe Bridge (A167)	54°10′40.53″N 1°23′29.71″W
Baldersby St James	54.18687°N 1.44201°W / 54.18687; -1.44201	Arkle Beck	54°22′55.33″N 1°56′4.60″W	A168	54°10′27.26″N 1°23′3.83″W
Topcliffe	54.1784°N 1.3863°W / 54.1784; -1.3863	Cogden Beck	54°22′46.47″N 1°54′45.42″W	Thornton Bridge	54°8′12.15″N 1°20′19.75″W
Cundall"	54.14785°N 1.35248°W / 54.14785; -1.35248	Hags Gill	54°22′25.15″N 1°53′54.76″W	Myton Bridge	54°5′41.16″N 1°20′5.23″W
Fawdington	54.14907°N 1.33099°W / 54.14907; -1.33099	Gill Beck	54°22′32.83″N 1°51′18.93″W
Brafferton	54.126137°N 1.327460°W / 54.126137; -1.327460	Oxque Beck	54°23′4.36″N 1°50′23.91″W
Helperby	54.122200°N 1.328400°W / 54.122200; -1.328400	Marske Beck	54°23′46.83″N 1°49′42.70″W
Myton-on-Swale	54.094°N 1.331°W / 54.094; -1.331	Clapgate Beck	54°24′17.93″N 1°49′20.56″W
		Sand Beck	54°23′53.03″N 1°43′8.34″W
		Colburn Beck	54°23′31.10″N 1°41′9.56″W
		Skeeby Beck	54°23′36.73″N 1°40′27.51″W
		Brough Beck	54°22′15.05″N 1°36′38.62″W
		Fiddale Beck	54°21′52.02″N 1°33′55.71″W
		Kiplin Beck	54°21′49.43″N 1°33′21.67″W
		The Stell	54°21′28.32″N 1°32′15.85″W
		Mill Beck	54°20′14.50″N 1°31′47.21″W
		Bedale Beck	54°18′15.21″N 1°30′50.03″W
		River Wiske	54°14′38.19″N 1°26′19.94″W
		Cod Beck	54°10′3.88″N 1°21′58.63″W
		Crakehill Beck	54°9′7.14″N 1°20′22.01″W
		Cundall Beck	54°8′13.20″N 1°20′18.10″W