The geomorphological setting of some of Scotland's east coast freshwater mills: a comment on Downward and Skinner (2005) ‘Working rivers: the geomorphological legacy...’

Bishop, P. and Jansen, J.D. (2005) The geomorphological setting of some of Scotland's east coast freshwater mills: a comment on Downward and Skinner (2005) ‘Working rivers: the geomorphological legacy...’. Area, 37(4), pp. 443-445. (doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4762.2005.00642.x)

Abstract

Many of the water mills on Scotland's east coast streams, unlike those discussed recently by Downward and Skinner (2005 Area 37 138–47), are found in predominantly bedrock reaches immediately downstream of knickpoints (i.e. bedrock steps). Bedrock knickpoints in the lower reaches of Scottish rivers are a widespread fluvial response to the glacio-isostatic rebound of northern Britain. These steps in the river profile propagate headward over time, but for intervals of a few centuries or so they are sufficiently stable to be exploited for the elevational fall necessary to power the mill wheel. Many of these mills were apparently powered by ‘run-of-the-river’, as are some today that formerly had mill dams. The typical lack of sediment storage along the erosional lower reaches of many Scottish rivers means that failure of mill structures in Scotland will probably have less dramatic geomorphological and management implications than those suggested by Downward and Skinner for southern English rivers.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bishop, Professor Paul
• Authors: Bishop, P., and Jansen, J.D.
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history; T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Area
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
• ISSN: 0004-0894
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2005 Blackwell
• First Published: First published in Area 37(4):443-445
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher