River Garnock

From here the Garnock flows for 39km before entering the sea, via a shared estuary with the River Irvine. Although it has a catchment area of 238km², similar to the River Girvan, the Garnock itself is a relatively small river as its largest tributary, the Lugton Water, meets the Garnock below the tidal limit.

Principal land uses in the catchment area are agriculture, moorland and urban development. The most significant land use, forming 74% of the total, is improved or good rough grassland, much of which is intensively grazed. There is a relatively low level of forest cover (6.9%) in the Garnock catchment compared to rivers such as the Stinchar.

The Garnock flows through three large towns, Kilbirnie, Dalry and Kilwinning. Water management within the catchment is currently under review in the River Garnock catchment flood defence strategy.

The fishery on the River Garnock is managed by the angling clubs based in the three towns along the course of the river. The West Strathclyde Protection Order 1988 means that it is an offence to fish for freshwater fish within parts of the Garnock catchment without written permission.

Source River Garnock | Ayrshire Rivers Trust