Rising on Exmoor, it flows south for more than 50 miles, through Tiverton and Exeter and into the sea at Exmouth. The River Exe is more than 50 miles long and stretches almost all the way from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the south.
The source of the Exe is near Simonsbath on Exmoor. En route, it passes through many communities, including Tiverton and Devon's county town Exeter.
The River Exe valley near Westermill Farm
The River Exe valley near Westermill Farm
The River Exe valley near Westermill Farm
The River Exe valley near Westermill Farm
The River Exe valley near Westermill Farm
Historically, the river has played an important role.
For example, the Romans reached Exeter in 50AD and turned it into a stronghold because this was the lowest point where the river could be crossed. Over the centuries, Exeter developed as an important trading port and the quay was really the hub of the city.
However, the Countess of Devon threw a strop in the 13th century, having fallen out with the port of Exeter. She built a weir, thus preventing big boats from reaching the city!
This was why the Exeter Canal was built in 1566 - making it England's oldest Ship Canal. It was built so that boats could again navigate their way to Exeter Quay from Turf Lock - where it rejoins the River Exe.
During this era, Topsham was also a important port.
Further up the river, the Exe also helped with the development of Tiverton, where water power was used for the booming wool industry.
River Exe
The Exe has caused some major flooding in its time, regularly bursting its banks.
Some of the floods proved devastating, destroying churches and other buildings in Exeter and wreaking havoc in other towns such as Tiverton and across farmland.
Flooding remains a problem along some stretches of the river, but a flood defence scheme built in Exeter itself in the 1970s has prevented major incidents in the city.
Where the river reaches the sea, there are important nature sites on each side of the estuary - at Exmouth and Dawlish Warren.
Exmouth has a local nature reserve and Dawlish Warren is a national reserve as a result of the birdlife attracted by the estuary habitat. The entire estuary is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).
Many species flock to the area, including avocet, curlew, teal, Brent geese, oystercatchers, dunlin, redshank, grey plover, and godwits.
At the right times of the year, the estuary is a birdwatcher's paradise.
All the way along the Exe there are places to canoe, and the river these days is important to the holiday and leisure industry.
It's traditionally been a favourite place for anglers, and in 1924, a salmon weighing 64lb was caught by fisherman Richard Voysey. It became known as the famous Exe Salmon.
The Exe's other role is providing water for Wimbleball Reservoir on Exmoor.
Up here on the moor, the Exe passes through wet moorland, woodland and steep-sided valleys, in an environment which is a complete contrast to that found at the other end of the river.
fishing on the River Exe is
for salmon, brown trout and
grayling through the closed trout season. Sea trout are steadily on the
increase offering some excellent sport in future seasons at night. The
waters are mainly fly with spinning allowed for salmon when river conditions
are high and coloured.
Many villages along the course of the River Exe take their names from it,
including Up Exe, Nether Exe, Exwick, Exton and Exminster. The seaside
town of Exmouth is at the east side of the estuary, and Dawlish Warren
at the west.
tides on the river are now limited at Countess Wear (or Weir), which
was constructed by the Countess of Devon. A ship canal bypasses the weirs
and enabled ocean-going sailing 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; at low tide,
extensive mud flat s 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.
There is often as much as 2000 mm (80 inches) of rainfall per year on
the higher ground, thanks to clouds formed by warm damp air from the
Atlantic Ocean . The high ground forms the catchment area for numerous
rivers and streams. There are about 483 km (300 miles) of named rivers
on Exmoor.
Rivers in Exmoor include the River Exe, Avill, Barle, Bray, Heddon, East Lyn
and West Lyn river. |
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