Water of Ken

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox river | name = Water of Ken | image = Water of Ken - geograph.org.uk - 37584.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | image_caption = The Water of Ken upstream from High Bridge of Ken | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | source1_location = Blacklorg Hill | mouth_location = Loch Ken | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = Scotland | progression = | length = | source1_elevation = | mouth_elevation = | discharge1_avg = | basin_size = | river_system = | tributaries_left = Stroanfreggan Burn | tributaries_right = Water of Deugh, Craigengillan Burn }} The '''Water of Ken''' is a river in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire in Galloway, south-west Scotland. It rises on Blacklorg Hill, north-east of Cairnsmore of Carsphairn in the Carsphairn hills, and flows south-westward into The Glenkens, passing through Kendoon, Carsfad and Earlstoun lochs, all of which are dammed to supply the Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme. At Kendoon Dam the Ken is joined by a major tributary the Water of Deugh. From there, the river flows south, passing St. John's Town of Dalry and New Galloway, before widening to form the 9-mile long Loch Ken. The Black Water of Dee also enters halfway down the loch, and from Glenlochar, at the south end of the loch, the river continues as the Dee towards Kirkcudbright and the coast. There are a number of interesting bridges over the Water of Ken. Smeaton's Bridge<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB3628 |title=SMEATONS BRIDGE OVER WATER OF KEN (LB3628) |publisher=Portal.historicenvironment.scot |date= |accessdate=2021-06-17}}</ref> (sometimes Smitton's Bridge) carries the B729 road which runs between Carsphairn and Moniaive. It crosses the Ken a half mile above the confluence of the Stroanfreggan burn. This bridge has a single arch 42 ft long.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/64357/smittons-bridge |title=Smittons Bridge |publisher=Canmore |date= |accessdate=2021-06-17}}</ref> A few miles further downstream the High Bridge of Ken spans the river at a narrow ravine on the B7000 back road from Carsphairn to St John's Town of Dalry. The bridge has 2 arches each 24 ft long. British listed buildings website describes the bridge as early 18th century, possibly earlier origin.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200334746-high-bridge-of-ken-dalry-dumf-galloway#.XvHQVN_NZhE |title=High Bridge of Ken, Dee and Glenkens, Dumfries and Galloway |access-date=23 June 2020 |archive-date=27 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627055641/https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200334746-high-bridge-of-ken-dalry-dumf-galloway#.XvHQVN_NZhE |url-status=dead }}</ref> Further downstream again the Ken Bridge lies between St John's Town of Dalry and New Galloway.This bridge carries the A712 road and dates from 1822. It has 5 granite arches and is 340 ft long.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/64216/ken-bridge |title=Ken Bridge |publisher=Canmore |date= |accessdate=2021-06-17}}</ref> Immediately adjacent to the bridge is the Ken Bridge Hotel.

{{Gallery |title=Photographs of the Ken |width=120 |height=100 |align=center |File:Bridge_over_River_Ken_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1422645.jpg |alt1=Bridge over River Ken|Ken Bridge, view from the 'beer garden' of The Ken Bridge Hotel |File:The_River_Ken_-_geograph.org.uk_-_191783.jpg |alt2=Water of Ken |Water of Ken looking upstream from the Smeaton Bridge |File:Water of Ken and bridge near Lorg - geograph.org.uk - 436621.jpg |alt3=Water of Ken and bridge near Lorg |Water of Ken and bridge near Lorg |File:Smittons Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 553963.jpg |alt4=Smittons Bridge |Smittons Bridge looking upstream |File:Water Of Ken near High Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1206039.jpg |alt5=Water Of Ken near the High Bridge of Ken |Water Of Ken looking upstream to the High Bridge |File:Water of Ken at Smittons Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 227375.jpg |alt6=Water Of Ken at the Smeaton Bridge |Water Of Ken looking downstream to the Smeaton Bridge |File:High Bridge of Ken - geograph.org.uk - 730076.jpg |alt7=The High Brig of Ken |The High Bridge of Ken }}

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== References == {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20161203152736/http://www.gallowayglens.org/ The Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership]}}

Ken