View source for River Usk

{{redirect|Wysg|the radio station|LifeTalk Radio}}
{{Short description|River in Wales}}{{Lead rewrite|date=September 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox river
| name               = River Usk
| native_name        ={{native name|cy|Afon Wysg}}
| name_other         = 
| name_etymology     = 
<!---------------------- IMAGE & MAP -->
| image              = The_River_Usk,_looking_downstream_-_geograph.org.uk_-_398132.jpg
| image_size         = 250
| image_caption      = Looking north across the river, near [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], towards [[Caerleon]] 
| map                = 
| map_size           = 
| map_caption        = 
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_size   = 
| pushpin_map_caption= 
<!---------------------- LOCATION -->
| subdivision_type1  = Country
| subdivision_name1  = [[Wales]]
| subdivision_type2  = 
| subdivision_name2  = 
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = County
| subdivision_name4  = [[Powys]], [[Carmarthenshire]], [[Monmouthshire]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]]
| subdivision_type5  = 
| subdivision_name5  = 
<!---------------------- PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS -->
| length_km = 125
| width_min          = 
| width_avg          = 
| width_max          = 
| depth_min          = 
| depth_avg          = 
| depth_max          = 
| discharge1_location= [[Kemeys Commander#Chain Bridge|Chain Bridge (Usk)]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Usk at Chain Bridge|url=http://www.ceh.ac.uk/data/nrfa/data/time_series.html?56001|publisher=[[Centre for Ecology and Hydrology]]}}</ref> for 1957-2012
| discharge1_min     = {{convert|1.58|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}on 27 Aug 2003
| discharge1_avg     = {{convert|27.919|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}for 1957-2012
| discharge1_max     = {{convert|585.4|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}on 27 Dec 1979
<!---------------------- BASIN FEATURES -->
| source1            = 
| source1_location   = [[Fan Brycheiniog]], [[Carmarthenshire]] / [[Powys]], [[Wales]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|51|54|3|N|3|43|19|W|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation  = {{convert|502|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth              = [[Severn Estuary]]
| mouth_location     = [[Uskmouth]], [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Wales]]
| mouth_coordinates  = {{coord|51|32|31|N|2|59|6|W|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation    = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression        = 
| river_system       = 
| basin_size_km2     = 1160
| tributaries_left   = [[Afon Cilieni|Cilieni]], [[Nant Brân]], [[Afon Ysgir|Ysgir]], [[Afon Honddu (Powys)|Honddu]], [[Rhiangoll]], [[Grwyne Fawr]], [[River Gavenny|Gavenny]], [[Olway Brook]]
| tributaries_right  = [[Afon Hydfer|Hydfer]], [[Afon Crai|Crai]], [[Afon Senni|Senni]], [[Afon Tarell|Tarell]], [[Afon Cynrig|Cyrig]], [[Nant Menasgin]], [[Caerfanell]], [[Afon Crawnon|Crawnon]], [[River Clydach, Monmouthshire|Clydach]], [[Berthin Brook]], [[Sôr Brook]], [[Afon Lwyd|Llwyd]], [[Ebbw River|Ebbw]]
| custom_label       = 
| custom_data        = 
| extra              = 
}}
[[File:RiverUskAbergavenny.jpg|thumb|right|The River Usk near [[Abergavenny]] with the [[Blorenge]] in the background]]
The '''River Usk''' ({{IPAc-en|ʌ|s|k}}; {{langx|cy|Afon Wysg}}) [[River source|rises]] on the northern slopes of the [[Black Mountain (range)|Black Mountain]] (''y Mynydd Du''), [[Wales]], in the westernmost part of the [[Brecon Beacons National Park]]. Initially forming the boundary between [[Carmarthenshire]] and [[Powys]], it flows north into [[Usk Reservoir]], then east through [[Sennybridge]] to [[Brecon]] before turning southeast to flow by [[Talybont-on-Usk]], [[Crickhowell]] and [[Abergavenny]], after which it takes a more southerly course.

Beyond the eponymous town of [[Usk]], it passes the [[Roman legion]]ary fortress of [[Caerleon]] to flow through the heart of the city of [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] and into the [[River Severn#Severn Estuary|Severn Estuary]] at [[Uskmouth]] near the [[Newport Wetlands]]. The river is about {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=off}} long<ref>{{cite web |title=Usk Management Catchment Summary |url=https://naturalresources.wales/media/3214/usk-management-catchment.pdf |publisher=Natural Resources Wales |access-date=25 April 2020}}</ref> and drains a basin of 1160 km<sup><small>2</small></sup>.<ref>[https://cdn.cyfoethnaturiol.cymru/695489/kyr-usk-accessible-2019.pdf Know Your River Report, Usk 2019]</ref> According to the ''[[Encyclopaedia of Wales]]'' (which gives a figure of {{convert|137|km|mi|abbr=on}}), the river is the longest to flow wholly within Wales.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=John |last2=Jenkins |first2=Nigel |last3=Baines |first3=Menna |last4=Lynch |first4=Peredur I. |title=The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales |date=2008 |publisher=University of Wales Press |location=Cardiff |isbn=9780708319536 |page=904 |edition=First}}</ref> 

The [[Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal]] follows the Usk for most of the length of the canal.

== Etymology ==
The name of the river derives from a [[Common Brittonic]] word meaning "abounding in fish" (or possibly "water"); this root also appears in other British river names such as [[River Exe|Exe]], [[River Axe (Lyme Bay)|Axe]], [[River Esk, North Yorkshire|Esk]] and other variants. The name is [[cognate]] with ''[[:wikt:pysg|pysg]]'' (plural of ''[[:wikt:pysgod|pysgod]]''), the [[Welsh language|Welsh]] word for fish, borrowed from Latin ''piscis''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Owen|first1=Hywel Wyn|last2=Morgan|first2=Richard|title=Dictionary of the Place-names of Wales|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DEIANQAACAAJ|year=2007|publisher=Gomer Press|isbn=978-1-84323-901-7}}, page 484.</ref>

The name of the river appears as "Wÿsk" on the [[Cambriae Typus]] map of 1573.<ref>A reproduction of the map is at [[:File:Atlas_Ortelius_KB_PPN369376781-011av-011br.jpg]]</ref>

== Ecology ==
The whole river has been designated a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]]. It has an [[estuary]] with [[mudflat]]s and [[salt marsh]], [[lagoon]]s, [[bog]] and marsh, varied [[grassland]] and [[woodland]] habitats along its course. Its flora and fauna are diverse and include [[Atlantic salmon]], [[European otter]]s, [[twait shad]], [[Alosinae|shad]], [[lamprey]], [[European perch]], [[brown trout]], [[European chub|chub]], [[common dace]] and [[common roach]], as well as [[common kingfisher|kingfishers]], [[grey heron]]s and other wildfowl and bird life. [[White-throated dipper|Dipper]]s can be seen upriver along with [[red kite]]s in the river's valley upstream from around the town of [[Usk]].

The Usk has long been a noted salmon and trout fishing river. Salmon of over {{convert|30|lb}} may still be caught. In 1999 the river had the highest estimated salmon egg deposition of any river south of [[Cumbria]] and the [[List of rivers of Scotland|Scottish rivers]], and exceeded its spawning target.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sac.jncc.gov.uk/site/UK0013007|title=River Usk/ Afon Wysg - Special Areas of Conservation|website=sac.jncc.gov.uk}}</ref> The river has recently been rated as the best [[fly fishing]] water in Wales for salmon and inside the UK Top Ten.{{When|date=June 2011}}

The [[Head of tide|normal tidal limit]] of the river is just below the bridge at [[Newbridge-on-Usk]], some {{cvt|5|mile}} north of Newport.<ref>Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 scale Explorer map sheet 152 ''Newport & Pontypool''</ref>

==Bridge crossings==
There are numerous bridge crossings of the river, variously for vehicles, pedestrians and rail traffic. A number are of historic interest, notably a series of largely eighteenth- and nineteenth-century [[Listed building|listed structures]] between Abercamlais and Newport.

=== Upper valley ===
The highest crossing is that of Pont ar Wysg (translates from [[Welsh language|Welsh]] as ''bridge on the Usk'') which carries the moorland road west from [[Trecastle]] to Twynllanan. There are a further couple of minor road crossings below the [[Usk Reservoir]] dam around [[Cwmwysg]], then Pont Newydd (translates as ''new bridge'') immediately south of Trecastle. In the vicinity of [[Sennybridge]] are Pont Pantysgallog, Pont Ynysyrwyddfa, Pont Senni (after which the village is named) and Pont Llwyncyntefin. Pont y Commin is of interest insofar as a former railway bridge carried the [[Neath and Brecon Railway]] at a high level diagonally over the road bridge itself. Three historic bridges span the river in quick succession: a pedestrian suspension bridge at [[Abercamlais]] and stone arch bridges at Abercamlais and [[Penpont Manor House|Penpont]] (both Grade II* listed), with [[Aberbrân]] bridge another {{convert|1.5|mi}} downstream.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abercamlais.com/the-bridges-over-the-usk/|title = The Bridges over the Usk &#124; Abercamlais}}</ref>

The Grade I listed [[Usk Bridge (Brecon)|Usk Bridge]] in Brecon dates back to 1563 but it was significantly altered in the 1950s to accommodate increased road traffic. It is supplemented by a modern concrete span bridge carrying the [[A40 road|A40]] Brecon bypass dual carriageway over the river to the east of the town. Another {{convert|1.5|mi}} miles downstream is Lock Bridge, which carries the B4558 over the river, and immediately downstream again is the substantial Brynich Aqueduct carrying the [[Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal]] over the river at [[Llanfrynach]]. There was another pair of bridges at [[Llansantffraed]] but since the dismantling of the railway bridge only the road bridge linking to [[Talybont-on-Usk]] remains. A couple of private footbridges span the next section of the river before its waters pass beneath the historic (Grade I listed) [[Llangynidr Bridge]].

Tower Bridge is a Grade II* listed structure providing private vehicular access into [[Glanusk Park]], the river then remaining unbridged downstream until the historic (Grade I listed) [[Crickhowell Bridge]]. At [[Glangrwyney]] is a [[bailey bridge]] installed after the earlier stone bridge was washed away, though there was once a [[cable ferry|chain ferry]] crossing of the river near [[Llanwenarth]] as the nearby Boat Farm testifies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Let's go for a walk: River Usk and Llanwenarth |date=31 July 2022 |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/20585339.go-walk-river-usk-llanwenarth/ |publisher=Newsquest Media Group Ltd |access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref> 

=== Abergavenny to Newbridge ===
The [[Abergavenny Bridge|next bridge is that at Abergavenny]] connecting the town with [[Llanfoist]]. This Grade II* listed structure was accompanied on its upstream side by a railway bridge from the 1860s until the railway's closure in the late 1950s. Abergavenny is bypassed to the south by the [[A465 road|A465 dual carriageway]] which crosses the river west of the Hardwicke roundabout. The bridge which carries the A4042 road over the river at [[Llanellen]] was built by [[John Upton (civil engineer)|John Upton]] in 1821.

A private footbridge spans the river at [[Llanover]] and the mainline railway crosses it at [[The Bryn]], a small village otherwise known as Llangattock Nigh Usk. The B4598 road is carried over the river by another Upton legacy, the Grade II* listed [[Pant-y-Goitre Bridge]] near [[Llanvihangel Gobion]], and again by the 'Chain Bridge' near [[Kemeys Commander]] (the name of this iron arch structure is a hangover from the previous bridge which was supported by chains). The river is crossed by two bridges at [[Usk]], the former railway crossing and, downstream, the Usk Bridge carrying the A472 road and the [[Usk Valley Walk]]. Yet another Grade II* listed structure, it was built by [[William Edwards (architect)|William Edwards]] in the late 1740s.  A long unbridged section follows until, just upstream from the [[head of tide|normal tidal limit]] on the Usk, it is crossed by the Grade II* listed [[New Bridge, Newbridge-on-Usk|New Bridge]] at [[Newbridge-on-Usk]], probably also a legacy of Edwards from 1779.

=== Newport ===
There are thirteen crossings within the boundaries of the [[Newport, Wales|city of Newport]]. The Twenty Ten Bridge is a recently constructed [[Celtic Manor Resort#history|private bridge]] upstream of Caerleon giving access to one of the golf courses associated with Celtic Manor. In Caerleon itself the B4236 road crosses by means of [[Caerleon Bridge]] dating from 1806. Downstream are two rail crossings, [[St. Julian's railway bridge|upstream]] and [[Great Western Railway Usk bridge|downstream]] of the [[M4 motorway Usk bridge|M4 motorway crossing]] which comprises two independent structures carrying the east and westbound carriageways over the river together with two further structures carrying the A4042 slip roads forming a part of junction 25a of the motorway. 

[[Newport Town Bridge|Newport Bridge]], often known as Town Bridge, carries the B4591 immediately downstream of the second railway crossing, with [[Newport Castle]] between them. [[Newport City footbridge]] was opened in 2006 to carry both pedestrians and cyclists over the river as part of an [[Newport Unlimited|urban regeneration project]]. Just downriver is [[George Street Bridge, Newport|George Street Bridge]] carrying the B4237 road across, and downstream again is [[City Bridge]] carrying the A48 dual carriageway across. [[Newport Transporter Bridge]] is the furthest downstream of the many crossings of the Usk. Completed in 1906, it is one of fewer than 10 [[transporter bridge|such structures]] remaining in use across the world and, at just short of {{convert|200|m}}, is the longest of these.

==Former mills==
There are a number of former [[watermill]]s along the banks of the river, the majority of which were engaged in milling [[cereal|corn]] for [[flour]] production. The uppermost mill on the Usk was that at Cwm-wysg, a [[gristmill|corn mill]] of mediaeval origin at Ordnance Survey grid reference SN 849285.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cwm-wysg Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/24628/details/cwm-wysg-mill-melin-wysg |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> Watergate Mill at Brecon (SO 435285) was another cornmill making use of water from the Usk, though post-mediaeval in date.<ref>{{cite web |title=Watergate Corn Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/24656/details/watergate-corn-millwatergate-mill-brecon |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> A couple of miles downstream was Millbrook Mill at Llanhamlach (SO 084268). This drew water via a 42m long leat from an 85m long weir spanning the width of the river.<ref>{{cite web |title=Millbrook Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/310169/details/millbrook-mill-llanhamlach |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> Buckland Old Mill, upstream of Llangynidr (at SO 134201), is thought to have been another post-mediaeval cornmill.<ref>{{cite web |title=Buckland Old Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/24624/details/buckland-old-mill |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref>

Three further mills sit close to the banks of the Usk between here and Crickhowell, though all draw their water from tributaries rather than the main river. Aberhoyw Mill takes water from the [[Nant Cleisfer]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Old corn mill, Aberhoyw |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/422897/details/old-corn-mill-aberhoyw |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> while Knight's Cornmill at [[Tretower]] takes water via a {{convert|440|m|adj=on}} long leat from the [[Rhiangoll]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Knight's Cornmill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/24637/details/knights-corn-millknights-mill |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> and Usk Vale Mill at Glangrwyney draws its water from the [[Grwyne Fawr]]. The first two are post-mediaeval cornmills, the latter a nineteenth-century [[paper mill]] which was later converted to become a ‘sawdust mill’.<ref>{{cite web |title=Usk Vale Mill, Glangrwyey |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/3081/details/usk-vale-millusk-paper-worksusk-paper-mills-glangrwyney |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> Forge Mill, north of [[Bettws Newydd]] at SO 355974, was still in use at the end of the nineteenth century, using a {{convert|200|m|adj=on}} long weir stretching between islands on the river to draw its water.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forge Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/413673/details/forge-mill |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> Gorrats Mill at Trostrey sits on the Usk's left bank at SO 359040.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gorratts Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/413675/details/gorrats-mill |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref> The possible 16th-century Prioress Mill (SO 367022) at Rhadyr, just north of the town of Usk, was another which, whilst close to the Usk, drew its water from a tributary, in this case the Berthin Brook.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prioress Mill |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/40087/details/prioress-mill-usk |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref>

In addition to these there is a [[leat]] beside the uppermost section of the river's course which is presumed to have drawn water off it at SN 816263 and transferred it via a contouring route across the moors for over {{convert|2|km}}. Its northern end is hidden within 20th-century woodland south of Usk Reservoir. [[Archaeologist]]s have postulated it as being of either mediaeval or even Roman origin but do not know its purpose.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upper Usk, leat |url=https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/413492/details/upper-usk-leat |website=coflein |publisher=RCAHMW |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref>

==In history and legend==
The River Usk has played an important role in the history of [[Wales]] and features in some local folk-tales.

Historically, the tidal reaches of the Usk have been used as a major shipping port for much of the last millennium, mostly because of its wide and deep mouth, and good navigable access from the [[Severn Estuary]] and the [[Bristol Channel]] and thence access to home waters and further overseas.

Evidence of the Usk's long-standing use in transport and trade came in the form of the remains of the [[Newport Ship]] that were discovered in 2002. This ship, dated to around 1465, was most likely a trading vessel and may have sailed to Europe or even beyond.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mediaeval ship's recovery on show |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/5042108.stm |website=BBC News Channel |date=4 June 2006 |publisher=BBC |access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>

The Usk has also played a role in many local legends. The Medieval Latin text ''[[De Ortu Waluuanii]]'' recounts a humorous tale in which an incognito [[Gawain]] pushes his uncle [[King Arthur]] into the Usk, and is then forced to explain to his wife Gwendoloena ([[Guinevere]]) why he is so wet.<ref name="Day366">{{Citation  | last = Day  | first = Mildred Leake  | contribution = The Rise of Gawain, Nephew of Arthur | editor-last = Wilhelm  | editor-first = James J.  | title = The Romance of Arthur  | pages = 366  | publisher = Garland  | place = New York  | year = 1994  }}</ref>

[[Geoffrey of Monmouth]] writes of [[Caerleon]] in the mid 12th century:
{{quote|For it was located in a delightful spot in [[Glamorgan]], on the River Usk, not far from the [[Bristol Channel|Severn Sea]]. Abounding in wealth more than other cities, it was suited for such a ceremony. For the noble river I have named flows along it on one side, upon which the kings and princes who would be coming from overseas could be carried by ship.|[[Geoffrey of Monmouth]], ''[[Historia Regum Britanniae]]''}}

"It is not until the 13th century [[French language|French]] prose romances that [[Camelot]] began to supersede Caerleon, and even then, many descriptive details applied to Camelot derive from Geoffrey's earlier grand depiction of the Welsh town."<ref name="Lacy">''Camelot'' in [[Norris J. Lacy]], Editor, ''The Arthurian Encyclopedia'' (1986 Peter Bedrick Books, New York) 75-6.</ref>

The Usk valley contains many sites of [[prehistory|prehistorical]] archaeological significance and the valley has long been a trade route, settlement area and an avenue into Wales for successive invaders such as the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] and [[Normans]].

==See also==
*[[List of rivers of Wales]]
*[[Usk Valley Walk]]
*[[List of bridges in Wales]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040406184957/http://www.uskvalleywalk.org.uk/photos.htm The Usk Valley Walk - photos]}}
* [http://www.gtj.org.uk/item.php?lang=en&id=25406&t=1 A trophy salmon from the Usk in October 1917]
* [http://www.canoewales.com/Guide/usk_valley/usk1.htm Canoe Wales website information on canoe touring the Usk]{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

<!-- {{coord|51|35|N|2|59|W|display=title|region:GB_type:river_source:GNS-enwiki}} -->

{{River Severn}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:River Usk| ]]
[[Category:Rivers of Carmarthenshire|Usk]]
[[Category:Rivers of Monmouthshire|Usk]]
[[Category:Rivers of Newport, Wales|Usk]]
[[Category:Rivers of Powys|Usk]]
[[Category:Black Mountain (range)|Usk]]
[[Category:Rivers of the Brecon Beacons National Park|Usk]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Brecknock]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Monmouthshire]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Newport]]
[[Category:River navigations in the United Kingdom|Usk]]