RIVER DART (Dartmeet to New Bridge - the 'Upper Dart')

[Mark R]

Guide.

[Mark Allen]

Whats the level 2day? Ive been away this weekend and dont have a clue!!!

[Ross W]

To low mark, no rain! Saturday seen it below the slab.

So, No paddling today :(

[pauly1664]

I have been trying to use the Dartcom Weather Station to predict the levels for the Loop and Upper. Can anyone offer some advice as to which graph I need to be using, Rainfall rate or Cumulative, at what are the "magic" figures to look for? Someone told me about 10mm would bring the levels up?

Any help much appreciated.

Happy Paddling

[Ross W]

It all depends on previous rain fall...

If its been dry it will need a lot more rain that if it had rained yesterday/day before yesterday.

Some times dartcoms not accurate, The rain catcher sometimes dose not get an "accurate" amount due to wind etc etc.

Use dartcom in conjunction with Hay tor

I'd personally say that it takes about 10mm of rain to bring it up after 24hours of dryness.

Hope this helps.

[Simon Westgarth]

In recent high water there have been some changes to the tree at Surprise Surprise. The tree has moved 2m or so towards the left channel and whilst not yet being a problem, in the next highwater the left channel could easily be blocked. So if on the apprach you no longer see the fallen large tree on the river left, STOP and inspect.

Note though that this tree has helped change Surprise Surprise over the Summer, and pile of boulders in the centre now has a line through the middle, this has been catching numerous paddlers out who are not river left enough for the slot exit.

Lastly below the islands after the action, the first rapid has changed considerably, there appears to of been some movement of large boulders, as there is now no pool above the drop, and in fact there is no loss of gradient at all, with the central rocks being significantly more exposed.

[Simon Westgarth]

At dust tonight and due to recent snow fall, there are been some trees fallen into the river. Two rapids above Surprise Surprise there is a fallen tree in the main river channel, this tree currently is not an issue. Downstream of the island on the main right channel, a large tree blocks the whole river. It's post to duck under at tge far river right side, but the eddy is small on the approach. Lastly, on the left channel of an island at the end of the long straight on the paddle out, there is a tree blocking the channel, although it's passable on the right.

Be very careful out there this weekend

[Martyn Read]

Ok. So looking like a dry one this weekend down in Devon. However I am supposed to be going down with my old Uni club.

What are folks views on the minimum levels for paddling both the lowers and uppers? By this I mean the minimum level you can float your boat without it turning into a walk (and considering the 'possible' environmental impact of paddling when the river's empty) rather than it necessarily being much fun!

Thanks
Martyn

[Simon Westgarth]

Very, very, very low. However rain is due tonight and on Saturday morning, whether this will be enough to change river levels, this is uncertain.

It os possible to paddle the middle part of the Upper section, however the run in and out are at present extremely low.

[Ross W]

Very, very, very low. However rain is due tonight and on Saturday morning, whether this will be enough to change river levels, this is uncertain.

It os possible to paddle the middle part of the Upper section, however the run in and out are at present extremely low.

Can you not access the center section of the upper by parking and walking across the field @ venford ?

[Simon Westgarth]

Very, very, very low. However rain is due tonight and on Saturday morning, whether this will be enough to change river levels, this is uncertain.

It os possible to paddle the middle part of the Upper section, however the run in and out are at present extremely low.

Can you not access the center section of the upper by parking and walking across the field @ venford ?

Indeed Ross, you park in the car park, and hike upstream to follow the a river right stream, upstream of Venford, and drop into the River Dart just after the first island. If you wish you can then paddle down to Euthanasia, and then hike out on river right, straight up the hike for 200m until an access road is found, and follow it back uphill to Venford.

[Seamstress]

Is the shuttle going to be running up to Dartmeet tomorrow, as we are hoping to get away with travelling in only one car.

[Simon Westgarth]

Is the shuttle going to be running up to Dartmeet tomorrow, as we are hoping to get away with travelling in only one car.

I think the shuttle goes once a day back up to Dartmeet, although I am not sure when. They do not take kayaks from Newbridge to Dartmeet though.

[Grandad]

I think the shuttle goes once a day back up to Dartmeet, although I am not sure when.

Some weeks ago the driver told me that it was between 13:00 and 14:00 but couldn't be more precise than that.

[woodsy]

Does anyone have any updates re fallen trees, levels?
Thanks
Woodsy

[Simon Westgarth]

There currently is a tree across the right channel at Surprise Surprise. It is situated where the two channel meet at the end of the central island.

[hardy]

Dangerous tree trunk locked into boulders at Surprise Surprise now removed yesterday courtesy South Avon Canoe Club.We put it high up river left near the other big tree,hopefully it will stay up there for some time,or be swept cleanly downstream.We took a few people not used to the likes of the river,and gave us a chance to practice a few rope skills.

6" below ledge I reckon.

[Simon Westgarth]

There currently is a tree across the right channel at Surprise Surprise. It is situated where the two channel meet at the end of the central island.

There is now a complete and large tree across the river right channel at Surprise Surprise.

[Simon Westgarth]

Upper Dart Update; right channel of Surprise Surprise/Pandora's Box is now blocked by a tree, #ukrgb

[jmmoxon]

Fortunately the tree has washed safely downstream.

Mike