The River Ouse is a river in the county of North Yorkshire, England. The Ouse is a continuation of the River Ure. Together, they form the UK’s sixth longest river, stretching 129 miles. It’s the longest river flowing entirely through one county. The Ouse’s length is about 52 miles, but its total length is debated.
Description of the Ouse
It is a matter of opinion whether the river is formed by the confluence of the River Ouse and the much smaller Ouse Gill Beck at Cuddy Shaw Reach near Linton-on-Ouse, about six miles downstream from the confluence of the River Swale with the River Ouse. An alternative view is recorded in a serial published in The Yorkshire Post in 1891, written and illustrated by Tom Bradley.
His description and bird’s eye view maps – specifically in his description of the River Swale – suggest that the river begins at the confluence of the Swale and the Ure. His narrative states that the river has no particular source, it simply flows from that confluence until it joins the Humber at the confluence of the Ouse and Trent.
Etymology
The origin of the name is uncertain. The name was first recorded around 780 as Usa. Speculation is that the name is of Romano-British origin, from the supposed word udso-, which is thought to derive from the Indo-European root wed-, meaning „water“; other sources prefer a Proto-Celtic origin.
Navigation
The Ouse River is navigable along its entire length. Naval vessels ply the river as far as Howdendyke. The inland port of Goole also regularly receives sea vessels. Goole also offers access to the Aire and Calder Navigation. In Selby there is access to the Selby Canal. The river is tidal as far as Naburn; the resulting tidal bore is known locally as „Aegir“.
