EMERGENCY crews were called out early today when one of the gates on the weir at Glasgow Green jammed open causing the river level to drop.

It is feared the low river level could cause the banks of the Clyde to collapse as they are held up by the pressure of the water.

Rowers were told to get off the river for safety reasons and it is understood a number of vessels were damaged when they settled on rocks on the riverbed.

People are being advised to stay off the riverbank because it is potentially dangerous.

A council spokesman said: "We are advising people to say off the riverbank east of the weir, not because there is evidence of any danger but because there is a potential for danger.

"We have engineers checking the riverbank to see if it is going to become unstable.

"People are turning up to take photographs and we are advising them to stay off the riverbank."

He said workmen have been on site since 5.30am trying to free the gate which has stuck.

The main purpose of the weir is to manage the water level upstream because the Clyde is tidal.

The spokesman said: “One section of the weir barrier became stuck open overnight, which has an inevitable impact on water levels above the weir. Our contractors have been on site since the early hours of the morning and are currently working to lower the barrier.”

George Parsonage, chief officer of the Glasgow Humane Society, said: "The water level has fallen and we have had to take all the rowers and scullers off the water for safety reasons.

"There has been a lot of damage to the pontoon and the boats and barges as they have sat down on the rocks and burst.

"The pressure of the water holds the banks up and there is a possibility of the river banks collapsing.

"It is quite serious."