In most tidal rivers the change from ebb to flood is gradual: the ebb current downstream slows, there is a period of slack water, then slowly the flood tide starts flowing upstream. In a few rivers, the behaviour is remarkably different and the onset of the flood tide is marked by a distinct, sometimes very vigorous wave – a bore.

Of the one hundred or so rivers around the world known to produce bores, around a fifth of these are in the United Kingdom. This is a consequence of high tidal ranges occurring in several locations around the British Isles – three rivers with notable bores are the Severn, Dee and Mersey. However, the world’s largest tidal river bore is on the Qiantang River in south-east China.

The Severn Bore

The Severn tidal river bore – the largest and most famous river bore in the UK.

In the UK the most famous and spectacular is the Severn Bore, and it attracts thousands of tourists. It can be seen as a wave or series of waves, as much as 2m in height, that sweep up the River Severn, breaking in the shallows at the side of the river, sometimes splashing onlookers.

Being the onset of the flood tide, there is a rapid rise in water level, which continues for about one and a half hours after the bore has passed. With the passage of the bore the whole character of the river changes instantly from a calm, tranquil, slowly ebbing stream to a turbulent, fast flowing river with a strong upstream current.

The turbulence following the bore stirs up the sediment so the river can appear to change colour. Often debris torn from the banks by the bore is caught in the after-rush sometimes including whole trees. There are many other interesting effects associated with the passage of the bore. At Maisemore the sound of the river passing over the weir and the sound of the bore rushing upstream are cancelled instantly as the bore simultaneously drowns the weir and is itself halted.

The Severn Bore can be seen from its first small beginnings near Sharpness all the way up to the Maisemore Weir above Gloucester. It is at its most developed between Minsterworth and Gloucester although it is certainly worth seeing in its estuary form above Newnham.

The bore occurs approximately 250 times per year, ranging from a small ripple to the highest waves. However it is generally at its best when a very high spring tide is predicted, something in excess of 14m at Avonmouth. Hence there are probably just a few occasions in the year at spring tides in the months around the equinoxes in spring and autumn when the bores are at their most spectacular.

However, a good bore can’t be guaranteed as it is affected by other factors. For example, if there is a lot of extra water in the river due to heavy rainfall the bore is diminished. This, together with other influences such as wind, may also alter the timing of the bore by about a quarter of an hour. The following are approximate times to expect the bore at various locations relative to High Water Avonmouth (HWA). See tidal predictions for Avonmouth.

  • Newnham, 15 minutes before HWA
  • Epney, 25 minutes after HWA
  • Minsterworth, 45 minutes after HWA
  • Stonebench, 1 hour after HWA
  • Over Bridge, 1 hour 20 minutes after HWA
  • Maisemore, 1 hour 25 minutes after HWA

More information can be found in various leaflets provided by the Severn Trent Water Authority, and the book “The Severn Bore” by Fred Rowbotham.

Rowbotham, F. (1983) The Severn Bore. 3rd Edition. Newton Abbott: David & Charles, 108pp. ISBN-9780715385081

Tidal bores on the Dee and the Mersey

The Dee Bore passing Saltney Ferry footbridge, May 1985 after dry weather (a 9.9m tide was predicted at Liverpool).The Mersey Bore passing the Runcorn road and railway bridges, following the main channel (right to left) just before reaching the wall of the Manchester Ship Canal where it gets reflected.

Two north-west rivers that produce bores are the Dee and the Mersey. They are at their best when very high tides are expected above 10m at Liverpool, which occurs on only a few days each year. However lower tides can produce good bores if other factors are favourable such as a period of dry weather reducing fresh water flow in the rivers.

The Dee Bore may be seen at the old road bridge at Queensferry about two hours before High Water Liverpool (HWL). It arrives at the Saltney Ferry footbridge about one and a half hours before HWL and then takes a further half-hour to arrive, somewhat reduced, at Chester.

The Mersey Bore may be seen in the lower estuary opposite Hale Point about 2 hours 25 minutes before HWL. From the park at Widnes West Bank it may be seen passing under the Runcorn road and railway bridges about 1 hour 50 minutes before HWL. Under good conditions the bore may be seen as far upstream as Warrington passing under the railway bridge south of Bank Quay station about 20 minutes before HWL. It passes rapidly through the town centre and arrives at Howley Weir just before HWL. See tidal predictions for Liverpool.

Tips for observers

  • It is better to arrive half an hour too early than a minute too late
  • Rainfall, wind and other factors affect the time of arrival of the bore; its appearance cannot be predicted with certainty
  • Bores can disappoint, because of various factors, even if the predicted tide is very high
  • If you can go a number of times you will have a better chance of seeing something quite awe inspiring.

Qiantang (錢塘) tidal river bore

The Qiantang tidal river bore from the left bank.

The Qiantang river at Hangzhou in China has the largest tidal river bore in the world, which can be over 4m high, 3km wide, and travelling with a speed in excess of 24km hr−1 (15mph). At certain locations, reflected waves can reach 10m in height, and its roar can be heard over an hour before its arrival.

When a large bore is forecast, many spectators line the banks to watch its progress. Great care is required – several tragic accidents have occurred when reflected waves suddenly increase the bore height and break over the banks, washing away unwary people.