History of the River Ouse (Yorkshire)

The Viking settlement discovered deep below the streets of modern York harks back to when the city was known as Jorvik. But the River Ouse was already carrying visitors long before the arrival of the Vikings, and has been used as a commercial navigation since the time of the Romans.

The fertile land around York produced lush agricultural produce, and the River Ouse was once the conduit for exports - as well as for the import of raw materials into the city. Nowadays the port of Goole handles most of the remaining commercial traffic.

At York, the River Ouse is met by the River Foss. Opened as a navigation in the early 19th century, the Foss was never particularly profitable but was nonetheless busy and was being used for large-scale transport of newsprint up to 1997.

Upstream of York the River Ouse changes its name to the River Ure at Ouse Gill Beck. At Swale Nab it is met by the Swale Navigation which, together with navigational work along the adjoining Cod Beck, was never completed. The Ripon Canal extends the navigation a further 2.5 miles into Ripon.

Downstream below Naburn Locks, the river is tidal as it passes the junctions with the Selby Canal and rivers Wharfe, Derwent and Aire. The Selby Canal affords access back to the main system via the Aire & Calder Navigation. Navigation downstream of Selby is not recommended for novices. Beyond Goole the tides rip strongly around the Humber and Trent Falls, and the lower reaches of the Ouse Navigation are only suitable for seaworthy vessels.