River Exe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| River Exe | |
|---|---|
 The Exe Estuary with Powderham Castle in the background
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| Country | England |
| Counties | Devon, Somerset |
| Major city | Exeter |
| Source | Exe Head |
| - location | near Simonsbath, Somerset, England |
| - coordinates | |
| - elevation | 440 m (1,444 ft) |
| Mouth | Lyme Bay |
| - location | English Channel |
| - coordinates | |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Major tributaries | |
| - left | River Haddeo, River Barle, River Creedy |
| - right | River Hadden, River Culm, Clyst |
The River Exe in England rises near the village of Simonsbath, on Exmoor in Somerset, near the Bristol Channel coast, but flows more or less directly due south, so that most of its length lies in Devon. It reaches the sea at a substantial ria on the south (English Channel) coast of Devon. Historically, its lowest bridging point was at Exeter, though there is now a viaduct for the M5 motorway about 3 km south of the city centre.
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[edit] Topography
The river's name is obviously related to that of Exeter, and in addition many villages along the course of the river take their names from it, including Exford, Up Exe, Nether Exe, Exwick, Exton, Exminster, and Exebridge, where it is joined by the River Barle. The seaside town of Exmouth is at the east side of the estuary mouth, and Dawlish Warren is at the west, with its long sand spit extending across the mouth.
The river fuelled Exeter's growth and relative importance in medieval times and the city's first industrial area was developed at Exe Island, created by a series of leats to the west of the city. The island was home to numerous watermills producing paper and textiles; it also created valuable land through drainage of the marshlands.[1]
Tides on the river are limited at Countess Wear, the site of a weir commissioned by the Countess of Devon in the 13th century.[2] The Exeter Canal bypasses this weir to enable ships to reach Exeter Quay. At high tide, the estuary forms a large body of water that is heavily used for water sports especially sailing, windsurfing and water skiing.
Railways run along both sides of the estuary. The Avocet Line from Exeter to Exmouth on the eastern side, and the South Devon main line on the western. The latter is on a causeway, the South Devon Railway sea wall from Powderham to Dawlish Warren. The Exmouth to Starcross Ferry carries passengers across the mouth of the estuary during the summer months, linking the harbour at Exmouth with a pier adjacent to Starcross railway station on the South Devon main line.
[edit] Wildlife
At low tide, extensive mud flats are exposed, and these are an important feeding source for wading birds. Along with other rias in South West England, the Exe estuary is an important site for wintering waders. Dawlish Warren is a favoured site for birdwatching. The river is acidic and populated with wild brown trout and some grayling, the average size being 8-10 oz. Unlike many West Country rivers there are no seatrout, but there is a run of atlantic salmon. Just 150 metres below the union of the River Barle is one of the best, and highest salmon pools on the river: Black Pool.
[edit] 2008 cleansing operation
In 2008 the Environment Agency embarked on a project to clean the river from vegetation forming. In order to do so the water level decreased to its lowest level - less water remained than the droughts the city has suffered.[3]
[edit] External links
- Photographs from the Exe Estuary, Topsham & Powderham
- Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
- Exe Power Boat & Ski Club
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Exeter Memories - the Leats of Exeter. www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ Exeter Memories - Countess Wear. www.exetermemories.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ River Exe runs dry to make way for Flood Defence Work. www.thisisexeter.co.uk. Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- Lawrence, Rod: The Exe: A River for Wildlife Bradford-on-Avon 1999
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