River Erme - Harford Bridge to Ivybridge

[jmmoxon]

& there's a big tree down after the 2nd dogleg which could cause problems in flood. At 3pm there wasn't much water at Ivybridge as we drove over, but by 4.30pm there were hardly any eddies left.

Mike

[Simon Westgarth]

Extracted from an email from Kati at South Hams Local Council

I have been informed that there is a fallen tree across the Erme, approx 200m downstream of the viaduct. Ivybridge town council have said it is too dangerous to try and remove it at the moment. They have said that they will put up signs and I suggested they should be at the gate by the road under the viaduct and at Harford Bridge.

This tree I understand is near the exit of the gorge. Be such to check the gorge before paddling this section.

[jmmoxon]

This tree I understand is near the exit of the gorge.

It's the same tree I mention in post above - very big, but you could paddle under it on Saturday.

Mike

[Torsten]

Looking good for Sunday morning now! (20mm sat evening)

Is the tree still there?
How much of an issue will it be?

I'll try and grab some pics of it if we paddle on Sunday if no one else has any?

[Steve B]

I'm probably posting this too late to be useful, but I hear on the radio this morning (Saturday 28/11) that the A38 near Ivybridge is closed.

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/travelnews/local/n ... -map.shtml, updated at 9:06 - "A38 Devon - Closed eastbound due to accident investigation work between B3213 and A3121, in Ivybridge. Diversion in operation - via the B3212 to Kittford Cross to the A3121 and rejoining the A38."

[Simon Westgarth]

Here is an image of said large tree across the gorge, after the dogslegs, yet before the gorge exit:

On Twitpic

You can easily paddle underneath on the right at the time of posting the image above.

[drking]

Anyone in the know like to hazard a guess for levels tomorrow morning? Also does anyone know if the tree is still in the end of the gorge?

Thanks,

Dan.

[Ollieswims!]

Does anybody know of the level at the moment?

[Mark Allen]

I have word that it is high. Happy days.

[Mark Allen]

Just had another word saying its medium levels.

[monkey ben]

Erne on a beautiful level today!! Great fun running the upper section all the way down to the leisure centre. Few trees on upper section and a tree not really an issue at the moment in the gorge around the first dog leg.

[jmmoxon]

Level of Erme at Harford Bridge http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ho ... ionId=3208

Mike

[jmmoxon]

Judging from Tuesday's run, 1 metre on the Harford Bridge gauge is a solid grade 4 level.

Mike

[Jack Butcher]

Did come up this evening, peaking at about 5:30pm at a smooth low level. Still runnable at dusk. Cheers Mike for the heads up. Nearly all the wood has now gone from the river, smooth lines all the way.

[jmmoxon]

Peak level yesterday at Harford Bridge was about 0.7m (the top of the typical range) & this reached Ivybridge between 1 & 2 hours later on both occasions.

Mike

[Jack Butcher]

Good levels on the Erme yesterday evening. We put on just before 7pm and enjoyed medium flows. The river had already dropped by about 40cm. Reckon it peaked late afternoon/ early evening. It is clear of wood apart from the large tree trunk tight to the left bank upstream of the broken weir that has been there for a long time.

[Mark Allen]

Walked up the Erme today and there is a tree blocking the river. 2-3 rapids after slot and drop, the drop with a long slide down a channel with auto boof exit over ledge.

[Mark Allen]

Dog leg one is full of cut trees ATM. Please inspect.

[Simon Westgarth]

Just heard from Paul Bayliss, the trees are still blocking the first dog's leg drop in the gorge in spite of last nights rain.

[Mark Allen]

I'm down there now. Managed to move one out of the water. It's rising so hopefully will clear the rest out. But still blocked ATM.

[AlexHolt]

We paddled it on Sat 15th. The only problem tree was just before dogleg 1 and you could get underneath. Lowish water.

Would be an issue in higher levels though.

Nothing else in the gorge

[Mark Allen]

We paddled it on Sat 15th. The only problem tree was just before dogleg 1 and you could get underneath. Lowish water.

Would be an issue in higher levels though.

Nothing else in the gorge

The trees that were hanging in the water have now been cut, so are sitting in the water, causing a blockage. Cleared one out today. Hopefully get the rest out in the week.

[mattm]

Mark, did you manage to get more of these trees out after our meeting on wednesday mate?

[Mark Allen]

No mate. Couldn't lift them

[Mark Allen]

Still one branch in there the rest have gone. Couldn't safley get to it today with the high flows.

[Mark Allen]

Matt McWatt and myself have cleared the rest of the trees out of dogleg 1. However there is a team of Tree workers cutting alot of trees down on the banks this week. They said they were not going to drop any in the river - but check the gorge before you paddle.

[Jev4]

Whilst on the river Erme today there was a tree felling operation going on.
They warned us of tree felling near the river bank and we had good communication with the operations manager. They have felled a tree that unexpectedly feel in and across the river.

The tree has fallen below the viaduct,

Please use the river with caution,

Jev

[Mark Allen]

What time was this?

[Jev4]

We finished paddling around 3pm,

the tree was unexpectedly fragile

[Mark Allen]

Are they going to remove it?