River Nidd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Nidd |
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| Country | England |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Nidd Head Spring, 1.3 km north of the summit of Great Whernside 595 metres (1,952 ft) |
| River mouth | River Ouse, Nun Monkton 13 metres (43 ft) 54°0′51″N 1°13′8″W / 54.01417°N 1.21889°W |
| Length | 94.45 kilometres (58.69 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Swale–Ouse |
| Basin size | 516 square kilometres (199 sq mi) |
The River Nidd is a river in North Yorkshire, England. It's a tributary (meaning it flows into) the River Ouse. The Nidd is special because it's dammed three times near its start to create large lakes called Angram Reservoir, Scar House Reservoir, and Gouthwaite Reservoir. These reservoirs are popular, attracting about 150,000 visitors each year.
Sometimes, the river gets so full that it overflows these reservoirs. When this happens, the water can flood into underground caves in the valley. The river then flows through a normally dry riverbed past Lofthouse and into Gouthwaite Reservoir. The Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust works to keep the River Nidd healthy, from where it starts all the way to the Humber estuary.
The upper part of the river valley, called Nidderdale, was named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1994. This means it's a really special and beautiful place that is protected.
Contents
The River's Journey
The River Nidd begins its journey in Nidderdale at a place called Nidd Head Spring. This spring is high up on the slopes of Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales.
From there, it flows east into Angram and Scar House reservoirs. After these reservoirs, it turns south. In dry weather, something amazing happens: the river disappears underground! It flows into a sinkhole (a hole in the ground where water drains) known as Manchester Hole.
If Scar House reservoir gets too full, water flows past Manchester Hole to another sinkhole called Goyden Pot. During very big floods, the river flows above ground past Goyden Pot and continues down the valley. The water that goes underground into the Nidderdale Caves later reappears at a spot called Nidd Head, south of the village of Lofthouse.
After Lofthouse, the river is joined by a smaller stream called How Stean Beck. It then flows south-south-east towards Ramsgill and into Gouthwaite Reservoir. The first main town it reaches is Pateley Bridge.
The river then turns more to the south-east, passing places like Glasshouses and Summerbridge. It turns south again past Dacre Banks and Darley. After Darley, it flows east to Birstwith, then south-east to Hampsthwaite. The river then makes some big bends, flowing north, east, south, and east again, before entering the Nidd Gorge.
Below the Nidd Gorge, the river winds its way south-east through the town of Knaresborough. It loops north and then south again as it reaches flatter land. Near Little Ribston, it twists south-east and east, going under the A1 and the A1(M) motorways near Cowthorpe. The Nidd keeps winding past Cattal towards Moor Monkton, finally joining the River Ouse at Nun Monkton.
River Reservoirs
The two reservoirs furthest north on the River Nidd were built in the early 1900s. Their main job was to provide water to the city of Bradford. Today, Yorkshire Water looks after them.
Angram Reservoir
This reservoir is named after an old village called Angram, which was covered by water when the reservoir was built. It was finished in 1919. The dam is 61 metres (200 ft) high, and the reservoir covers an area of 34 hectares (about 84 acres). It can hold 1,041 million gallons of water and is 33.4 metres (110 ft) deep.
Scar House Reservoir
When Scar House Reservoir was being built, a temporary village was set up for the workers. You can still see some parts of it today. The old Village Hall from this temporary village was moved to Darley, where it's still used as the local Village Hall. The dam at Scar House was completed in 1936. It's 71 metres (233 ft) high, and the reservoir covers 70 hectares (about 173 acres). It's 36.3 metres (119 ft) deep and can hold 2,200 million gallons of water. Most of its water comes from the Angram dam.
Gouthwaite Reservoir
Gouthwaite Reservoir is a very important place for nature, so it's called a Site for Special Scientific Interest. It helps control the flow of water in the river. It covers an area of 312 acres (126 ha).
River Rocks and Land
The area where the river starts is moorland. The river's flow is affected by how much water runs off from the three reservoirs. The upper valley is mostly made of a type of rock called millstone grit. The soil on top of this rock often gets waterlogged because it doesn't let water through easily. It's made of loamy soils over clay, with peat on the very top.
Around Lofthouse, you can find Upper Yoredale limestone. This rock is more porous (meaning water can pass through it) than millstone grit. This is why the Nidderdale Caves formed here, where the river flows underground.
Further down the river, in the flatter areas, the ground underneath is Magnesian Limestone over layers of alluvium (soil deposited by rivers) and terrace drift deposits (older river deposits). The soil on top is a mix of fine loam over clay, which can be slow to drain, and some well-drained areas.
Where the river flows through the Nidd Gorge, you can see older rocks from the Carboniferous and Permian periods.
What's in a Name?
The name "Nidd" is very old, and its exact meaning isn't fully known. It might come from an ancient Celtic or Pre-Celtic language. Some people think it means "bright," "brilliant," or "shining," like the Old Irish word níamda. Others suggest it comes from an even older Indo-European root that simply meant "river."
The River Nidd might share its name origin with the river and town of Neath in South Wales, and the town of Stratton in Cornwall.
Fun Things to Do
Along the River Nidd valley, there are many interesting places to visit:
- The Nidderdale Museum is in Pateley Bridge. It teaches you about the old ways of farming, industries, religion, transport, and clothes in Nidderdale.
- Further down the river is the town of Knaresborough. Here you can explore Knaresborough Castle and the Knaresborough Museum.
- If you love walking, there are many marked paths throughout the valley. One popular route is the Nidderdale Way, which is a 53-mile circular walk. It usually starts in Ripley.
Gallery
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River Nidd less than 1 km from the source
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River Nidd at Lofthouse
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River Nidd near West House Farm
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River Nidd near Pateley Bridge
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River Nidd at Glasshouses
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River Nidd below Dacre
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River Nidd between Birstwith and Hampsthwaite
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River Nidd from Killinghall Bridge
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The River Nidd at Knaresborough
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River Nidd - geograph.uk - 290949.jpg
River Nidd near Tockwith Road
