Ouzoum

The Ouzom , form Béarn ease, or Ouzoum , form bigourdane, is a Affluent Gave of Pau, left bank, between the long Génie and the Béez.

Etymology

The current name d' Ouzom finds its origin in the C-Ws communication of the Oson (1441), Osom, Osson, Ozon (1538), Lozon (1581), l' Ouson (1585), taken again then in the forms Louzon (1786 - Carte of Cassini, without apostrophe like often in this work) and Lauzom (1850 - Geological Survey map). The pronunciation is ouzoû /uz ũ/.
the C-W communication Ouzoum is used in the high valley, in particular in the communes of Ferrières and Arbéost (Ferrières registers, of Louvie-Soubiron…) and by certain authors.

This name is probably derived from the Pyrenean Hydronyme Ousse.

Geography

The Ouzom takes its origin with the sources of the Cape d' Ouzom (1131 m), at the bottom of the Circus of Litor where it also receives the water of many small brooks descending of the high peaks of the Latte of Bazen to the Grand Gabizos. It is thrown in the Gave of Pau to Igon, upstream of Nay (altitude 258 m).

The Valley of Ouzom, is bordered in the west by the link resulting from the Col from Aubisque (1709 m) which separates it from the Vallée of Ossau and in the east, by that resulting from the Col of Soulor (1474 m) which separates it from the Val of Azun. Exit of the circus of Litor until Tool bags, Ouzom is inserted in a narrow Talweg. Downstream from the small basin of Tool bags, Ouzom is again boxed, on 9 km, in a throat with the steep slopes or the high walls limestones. It is only starting from Arthez-with Asson that the valley widens moderately, between the hills of Pyrenean Piedmont.

The torrent is fed more by the rains than by snows. However, the snow melt, in spring, involves a maximum of flow. Two periods of low water levels are noted: February and July-August. It is a river with pluvio-nival Régime.

Hydro-electric factories

In the circus of Litor, a small reserve (to 1100 m of altitude) collects the principal course of Ouzom to feed the hydro-electric microphone-power station installed with the district of Bourrinquets with Arbéost.
Another microphone-power station is installed with Arthez-in Asson: it uses the hydrant of old the Forge of Asson.

Departments and crossed communes

Because of the very particular history of the Valley of Ouzom, Ouzom, in its upper part - to the confluences with Aygue Blanque and of Aygue Nère - is the limit of old the province S of Bigorre and of Béarn, taken again limit, in 1790, at the time of the constitution of the department S. To this confluence, Ouzom thus borders the territories of the communes bigourdannes of Arbéost and Ferrières (Hautes-Pyrénées) on its Right Bank and of the communes inhabitants of Béarn of Béost, Louvie-Soubiron and Louvie-Juzon on its bank gauche.
Downstream from this confluence, Ouzom crosses the territories inhabitant of Béarn of Asson, Arthez-with Asson, and Igon.

Principal affluents

Upstream towards the downstream:

(G) Baudés, 4.4 km, coming from the Collar of Aubisque,
(G) the arrèc Arrendau or of Groute, 3 km, coming from the huts of Bouzieste ,
(G) Laussiés, 4.7 km, coming from the Turon de Lénia (1530 m) and of the Collar of Louvie ,
(D) Lanet or brook of Hougarou, 4.7 km, coming from the collar of Soum ,
(D) the brook of Lastètes, 3.7 km, coming from the collar of the S Pandelle S ( coth will deras Pandelas ),
(D) the Cau of Arrouy, 2.3 km, of the peak of Estibette (1 850 m)
(D) the Aygue Nègre, coming from important a Résurgence,
(G) Aygue Blanque, also coming from an important resurgence.
(G) Turounet, 2.7 km, coming from the collar of Nabails ,
(D) the Dry Arriou, 8.1 km, coming from the fountain of Yerse ,
(D) Short Arriou or Cagaret , in the lower part of the course.

Sources

Charts of IGN.
J. Defos of Rau, “the valley of Ouzom and its inhabitants”, Re-examined geographical of the Pyrenees and South-west , 1944, Volume XV, p. 5 to 55.

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