SUMMARY.Velocity measurements at fourteen hydrometric stations in the Tweed basin are described and analysed. Along‐stream velocity variations are examined and it is shown that at most flow levels the highest velocities occur at the lower, flatter end of the river system. Estimates of the frequency with which velocities of different magnitudes can be expected to occur in the river are also presented. These indicate that the velocity at most stations rarely exceeds 3.0 m s−1and for most of the time it lies between 0.25 and 1.0 m s−1. The inadequacy of subjective velocity assessment is stressed and a method suggested whereby data similar to those presented could readily be produced for almost any cross‐section along a river like th