River Teviot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Teviot |
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View of the River Teviot
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| Native name | Abhainn Tìbhiot |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Scotland 55°19′52″N 2°57′18″W / 55.331°N 2.955°W |
| River mouth | Scotland |
| Basin features | |
| River system | River Tweed |
The River Teviot, also known as Teviot Water, is an important river in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It's the biggest tributary (a smaller river flowing into a larger one) of the River Tweed. This river is super important for wildlife, especially the amazing Atlantic salmon. In recent years, the Teviot has experienced several big floods.
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Journey of the River Teviot
The River Teviot starts its journey in the western hills of Comb Hill. This spot is right on the border of Dumfries and Galloway. From there, it flows towards the northeast through a valley called Teviotdale.
Places Along the River Teviot
As the river travels, it passes by many interesting places. These include Teviothead, the Colterscleuch Monument, and Broadhaugh. It also flows past Branxholme and the historic Branxholme Castle.
The Teviot then goes through the town of Hawick and the village of Lanton. You can also spot the Timpendean Tower and the village of Ancrum. Further along, it passes Harestanes, Monteviot, Nisbet, and Roxburgh.
Finally, the River Teviot joins the larger River Tweed. This meeting point is located southwest of Kelso. The Borders Abbeys Way, a popular walking path, stays very close to the Teviot on its way to the Tweed.
River Teviot: Water and Flooding
The River Teviot flows across an area of low land. Underneath the surface, the ground is made of a type of rock called shale. Where the river begins, the land is mostly moorland and woodland. There is also some grazing land for animals.
Closer to where the river joins the Tweed, the land is used more for farming. This area is known as the river's catchment, which means all the land where water drains into the river.
Understanding River Flooding
The River Teviot is known for flooding, especially in the town of Hawick. In 2005, a serious flood caused "millions of pounds worth of damage." The river level rose to about 3.3 meters (nearly 11 feet) during that event.
More extreme floods happened in 2015 and 2016. During the 2016 flood, water levels in Jedburgh and Hawick rose more than 5 feet in just one hour. Because of these floods, a big project was started to build flood defenses in Hawick.
Flood Protection for Hawick
This flood defense project was planned to cost £44 million. It was designed to protect Hawick from future extreme floods. However, there were some delays, and the project didn't start until 2020.
Unfortunately, in January 2020, Storm Ciara hit, causing another extreme flood. The flooding was so severe that a restaurant located on the riverbank actually collapsed into the water. The new flood defenses are very important for the safety of the town.
River Teviot and Local Economy
The River Teviot plays a role in the local economy. For example, the Borders Whisky Distillery in Hawick uses the river's water. They use it for cooling and in their production processes.
Power from the River
Historically, many mills used the river's power along its length. Today, there are plans to use the river to generate clean energy. At a place called Cobel Cauld in Hawick, a new hydroelectric plant is being built.
This plant will use a special type of screw, called a reverse Archimedes Screw, to create electricity. The plan was approved in 2019 and was expected to be finished by 2021. This plant is hoped to produce 300 megawatt-hours of electricity each year. That's enough power for about 100 homes!
Wildlife and Ecology of the River Teviot
The River Teviot is very important for nature. In 2001, the entire length of the river was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This special protection also includes other rivers that flow into the River Tweed.
Animals and Plants in the River
The Teviot is famous for its amazing wildlife. You can find many different creatures living here. These include Atlantic salmon, otters, and lamprey. You might also spot beautiful forget-me-not flowers growing nearby.
The river is especially important for the Atlantic salmon. It provides vital breeding grounds where these fish can lay their eggs and start their life cycle. Protecting the river helps these important species thrive.
Tributaries of the River Teviot
The River Teviot has several smaller rivers and streams that flow into it. These are called tributaries. Each tributary adds more water to the Teviot as it makes its way to the Tweed.
- The Allan Water joins the Teviot on its right side at Newmill.
- The Borthwick Water flows into the Teviot on its left side, between Branxholme and Hawick.
- The Slitrig Water enters the Teviot on the right side, right in Hawick.
- The Ale Water joins the Teviot on the left side at Ancrum.
- The Jed Water enters on the right side, just a bit downstream from Ancrum.
- The Kale Water flows into the Teviot on the right side, between Crailing and Roxburgh.
