River Fowey - Estuary
- Details
- Last Updated on Saturday, 22 January 2011 18:03
- Written by David Wilson.
GUIDE TO THE RIVER FOWEY
(Estuary)
NAME OF RIVER: Fowey River.
WHERE IS IT?: Cornwall. Map.
PUT-INS/ TAKEOUTS: Bodinnick Ferry, west side, SX127523. Large car park (paying) keep clear of ferry operation. Also at Lerryn SX139570, free parking, but only at high tide.APPROX LENGTH: 5 miles to Lostwithiel, 4 to Lerryn, 3 to Penpoll and the same to return.
TIME NEEDED: Allow 4 mph if going with the tide and 2 mph against it.
ACCESS HASSLES: Public tidal water.
WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Start 1 or 2 hours before high water at Fowey depending on distance chosen.
GRADING: I placid...in calm conditions.
MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: Below the ferry, exposed to SW wind and should be treated as sea canoeing; main reach of channel has a long southerly fetch and will be rough in S wind. Penpoll is the most sheltered creek.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Dramatically beautiful wooded creeks, winding between steep hills. Smaller side creeks to Lerryn and Penpoll are quite narrow.
OTHER NOTES: Watch out for movements of large commercial vessels carrying china clay and loading at Fowey docks mile above ferry.
There are whitewater sections upstream above the tidal limit.
CONTRIBUTED BY: David Wilson.