The Gave d'Ossau (French pronunciation: [ɡav dɔso]) is the torrential river flowing through the Ossau Valley, one of the three main valleys of the High-Béarn (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), in the Southwest of France.
| Gave d'Ossau | |
|---|---|
 The Gave d'Ossau near Eaux-Chaudes | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | France |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Pic du Midi d'Ossau |
| • elevation | 1,008 m (3,307 ft) |
| Mouth | |
• location | Gave d'Oloron |
• coordinates | 43°11′41″N 0°36′28″W / 43.19472°N 0.60778°W |
| Length | 48.5 km (30.1 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | Gave d'Oloron→ Gaves réunis→ Adour→ Atlantic Ocean |
It is formed in Gabas from the confluence of two gaves coming from both sides of the Pic du Midi d'Ossau:
- the Gave de Bious, from the Pic d'Astu (west)
- the Gave du Brousset, from the Anéou Circus (east).
After joining the Gave d'Aspe, in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, it forms the Gave d'Oloron. It is considered the upper course of the Gave d'Oloron by Sandre.[1]
Throughout its length, the river is paralleled by the D934 road that runs from Pau to Spain, via the Col du Pourtalet.
In Castet, a dam forms the Lac de Castet.
Main tributaries
edit- (R) Gave de Soussouéou
- (L) Gée from the Coig Arras, in the Gorges du Bitet
- (R) Valentin, from Gourette
- (R) Cély, from the Col d'Aubisque
- (L) l'Arrioutort, in Laruns
- (R) Canceigt.
- (R) Sourde, in Aste.
- (L) Arriou Mage, in Bielle.
- (R) Lau.
Départements and towns
edit- Pyrénées-Atlantiques: Gabas, Eaux-Chaudes, Laruns, Béost, Aste-Béon, Gère-Bélesten, Bielle, Castet, Louvie-Juzon, Izeste, Arudy, Oloron-Sainte-Marie.