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GUIDE TO THE RIVER EXE (Upper section to Bolham Weir) NAME OF RIVER: Exe. WHERE IS IT?: The River Exe runs from northern Exmoor (Somerset) south to Exeter (Devon), flowing through a large estuary to Exmouth. PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: It must be possible to go as high as you can find water after rain...but I have not started above Bridgetown. Exbridge is a possible start/ finish point, but ask for permission from the Anchor Inn landlord before you use his carpark. At Bolham weir, there is parking space on the main road beside some water authority(?) buildings. APPROX LENGTH: Approx 14 miles, 9 if you begin at Exebridge. TIME NEEDED: 3 hours+. ACCESS SITUATION: Good. Open 1 October to 14 February, with spate agreement to 28 February. Contact Access Officer (Adam Box) for permit. WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Rain is certainly needed to paddle above Exebridge, but the rest of this section should be paddleable for a long period after rain. Higher water levels are preferable, but you need to be able to correctly 'assess' weirs in order to have a safe trip. Flood conditions may be very dangerous, making breakouts/ portages above weirs difficult or impossible. GRADING: Generally Grade 1-2 above Exebridge. The section below is mostly flat but with weirs and rapids below weirs forming entertainment. MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Trees and weirs. Bolham Weir in particular deserves respect. Jim Whittaker (Jan 2004)...'We paddled the Exe from Bridgetown on New Years eve and encountered single strand barbed wire across the river about 500m downstream of the put-in and again at the bridge to Hollam Farm. This represents a lethal hazard - difficult to see (chest high for a kayaker in medium flow) and on a twisty stretch with few eddies for more than a couple of boats. We'll try and sort it and post a note asap.' GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Above Exebridge the river is narrow and winding; watch out for low branches or trees in the river. This section forms a good introduction to moving water and has pleasant scenery. About a mile above Exebridge, the Barle enters from river right and shortly after there is usually a fun surf wave on river right. Below Exebridge, there are few 'rapids' but river winds through more pleasant scenery. Nothing much 'happens' until you reach Washfield Weir (about 8 miles from Exebridge) where the river bends to the left and slides over a broken shelf offering plenty of route choices. Judge for yourself if it's safe. There are some nice surf waves lurking below this weir and it's not a bad spot to stay and practice skills. Only a short way below is Bolham weir, a much more dangerous affair. Inspect and portage on river right when you see the horizon line, then paddle across the river downstream of the weir to the road if you are finishing here. This weir has a powerful towback which will hold swimmers and 'kicks' left as well. In low water it can certainly be paddled but still causes problems; I've had the pleasure of extracting my fiancee from the stopper! I understand that a fatality occurred here (Dec 97?) in high water when a paddler entered the stopper to retrieve a stuck kayak. Give it the respect it deserves. You now have the option of finishing or continuing down the next section. OTHER NOTES: The nearby River Barle is to be recommended as a trip similar to, but harder than, this section. CONTRIBUTED BY: Mark Rainsley, also Jim Whittaker. |
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