The river has its origins in a number of small streams which rise on the moors between upper
Nidderdale and
Kirkby Malzeard. The two largest of these streams, North Gill Beck and South Gill Beck, meet in a narrow wooded valley at
Dallowgill to form the River Laver. The river continues to flow through a narrow wooded valley, before broadening at
Laverton. The riverbanks again become densely wooded near
Winksley, then become more open and shallow as the river approaches Ripon. The river joins the River Skell at the western edge of
Ripon. ==Hydrology==