River Leven, Dunbartonshire
56°03′14″N 4°37′12″W / 56.054°N 4.620°W / 56.054; -4.620
The River Leven (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Leamhna) is a stretch of water in West Dunbartonshire, Scotland, flowing from Loch Lomond in the North to the River Clyde[1] in the South. The river is about 6 miles (10 kilometres) long. It is very popular with salmon and sea trout anglers, trying to catch one of these migratory fish going up to Loch Lomond.
The Vale of Leven is a collection of communities in the northern part of the river, whilst the town of Dumbarton sits at the southern end. Dumbarton Castle sits at the confluence of the river with the Clyde. The Leven is a relatively short river but is widely claimed to be the second fastest flowing river in Scotland, after the River Spey.[2] Possibly because of this, or possibly because it passes through a built-up area, it has a reputation as a dangerous river with many drownings over the years. The Linnbrane Hole in Alexandria is reputed to be the most dangerous spot.
The river is crossed by nine bridges and two weirs. There is a path for pedestrians and cyclists near the river, which connects with a cycle path to Glasgow. It follows the river very closely from Balloch to Renton, less closely from Renton to Dumbarton. The river includes two large meander bends, at Cordale and Dalquhurn.
In the past the river was used to get steamers into Loch Lomond, although they sometimes did not find it an easy journey and could have difficulty getting past the bridges.[3] Nowadays the river is considered to be not navigable. The height of the river can vary, sometimes being a good deal higher in winter than summer.
See also
References
External links
- History of the River Leven - Clyde Waterfront Heritage
- v
- t
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- South Lanarkshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Glasgow City
- West Dunbartonshire
- Renfrewshire
- Inverclyde
- Argyll and Bute
- Firth of Clyde, then North Channel
(upstream to downstream)
(upstream to downstream by confluence)
(upstream to downstream)
- Elvanfoot Viaduct
- Elvanfoot Motorway Bridge
- Elvanfoot Bridge
- Camps Road Bridge
- Crawford Viaduct
- Abington Bridge
- Clyde's Bridge
- Wandel Road Bridge
- Lamington Viaduct
- Lamington Bridge
- Wolfclyde Bridge
- Thankerton Bridge
- Pettinain Bridge
- Hyndford Bridge
- Bonnington Weir
- Clydesholm Bridge
- Kirkfieldbank Bridge
- Crossford Bridge
- Garrion Bridge
- Camp Viaduct
- Clyde Bridge
- Raith Bridge
- East Kilbride Expressway Bridge
- Bothwell Bridge
- David Livingstone Memorial Bridge
- Uddingston Footbridge
- Uddingston Viaduct
- Haughhead Bridge
- Westburn Viaduct
- Clydeford Bridge
- Cambuslang Bridge
- Bogleshole Road Bridge
- Clydebridge Viaduct
- Auchenshuggle Bridge
- Cuningar Loop Footbridge
- Dalmarnock Bridge
- Dalmarnock Railway Bridge
- Shawfield Smartbridge
- Rutherglen Bridge
- Polmadie Bridge
- King's Bridge
- St. Andrew's Suspension Bridge
- Pipe Bridge and Weir
- Albert Bridge
- City Union Bridge
- Victoria Bridge
- South Portland Street Suspension Bridge
- Glasgow Bridge
- Caledonian Railway Bridge
- George V Bridge
- Tradeston Bridge
- Kingston Bridge
- Clyde Arc
- Bell's Bridge
- Millennium Bridge
- Clyde Tunnel
- Renfrew Ferry
- Erskine Ferry
- Erskine Bridge