Case Study: The River Clyde
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 3.3.15
River Clyde
The River Clyde flows for 170km through Scotland. The river flows from its source in the Southern Uplands through Motherwell and Glasgow to the north-west of Scotland. The River Clyde has many of the classic river landforms, including:
The Inner Clyde Estuary
- The estuary is 3km wide and can be found to the west of the city of Glasgow.
Flood plain
- The River Clyde's flood plain is home to Glasgow.
- Glasgow is about 40 metres above sea level and the flood plain of the River Clyde is about 5 metres above sea level.
Interlocking spurs
- At Crawford, there are some 300-500m high interlocking spurs.
Waterfalls and gorge
- The four waterfalls on the river are known as 'The Falls of Clyde'.
- The waterfalls are called Corra Linn, Bonnington Linn, Stonebyres Linn, and Dundaff Linn.
- There is also a gorge near the Falls of the Clyde.
Meanders and ox-bow lakes
- In the New Lanark area, an ox-bow lake has nearly been formed.
- The River Clyde meanders along its route from source, to Motherwell, to Glasgow and then out to the ocean.
Test yourself on Case Study: The River Clyde
How long is the River Clyde?
Which of the following Scottish rivers flows north-west from its source in the Southern Uplands?
Which of the following Scottish settlements does the River Clyde flow through?