Falls of Dochart

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.4619, -4.3212

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Also within

Stirling and Falkirk County LochLomond National Park National Park

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Fluvial Geomorphology of Scotland Favourable — 2009-11-06

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Schist

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

FALLS OF DOCHART The Falls of Dochart are on the lower reaches of the River Dochart in the village of Killin -adjacent to Loch Tay and within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The Falls are an excellent example of an unusual fluvial situation where a section of bedrock has caused local channel widening rather than narrowing, and has generated a series of small interconnected waterfalls. The Falls of Dochart illustrate a number of important geomorphological features associated with water movement over the underlying river bedrock. This schist bedrock reach of the River Dochart is notable in demonstrating local channel widening rather than confined flow through a much narrower cross-section as in many channels controlled by bedrock. Considerable channel steepening occurs as the flow cuts obliquely over a series of rock bars generating a series of stepped waterfalls and a large bedrock island within the channel. At higher flows, a large percentage of the cross-section is drowned out in comparison to slot gorges. Good examples of potholes at a variety of scales can be found, with both classic circular potholes and those which are irregular and joint bounded. Evidence of high velocities during floods is provided by localised deposits of large boulders more than one metre in diameter.

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea