River Erme - Harford Bridge to Ivybridge

[Jack Butcher]

They have got a large swing shovel in the woods on river right. It is the broken weir with the boulder splitting the left and right channels. Halfway between the viaduct and the slot drop. They have dammed up the left hand channel with dumpy bags full of rocks placed at the top. I hope; to simply divert the flow so that they can work on the left channel? If we get high flows before the work is completed, then it will form a horrific whole on the left channel. 1 to look out for if the levels go big.

[Ollieswims!]

They have got a large swing shovel in the woods on river right. It is the broken weir with the boulder splitting the left and right channels. Halfway between the viaduct and the slot drop. They have dammed up the left hand channel with dumpy bags full of rocks placed at the top. I hope; to simply divert the flow so that they can work on the left channel? If we get high flows before the work is completed, and the dumpy bags are (hopefully) removed, then it will form a horrific whole on the left channel. 1 to look out for if the levels go big.

When did they start work on this?
Because we paddled the erme just last sunday so work must have started taking place recently, Within the last week.
Do you think this 'horrific hole' will be below the first drop, or the second drop.

Ollie.

[Jack Butcher]

No it will for where the 1st hole sits in that bowl, the only difference being that the water will be pouring in 3 ft higher up making it super sticky. I'm talking high flows though for it to come into play and become a real hazard.

[Mark Allen]

The Erme is now tree free from slot and drop to the gorge (apart from the on river left that has been there for years) Pete Henderson and myself have started to cut out the tree in the gorge, its just passable on river right but look first. The weir up stream looks like it is going to have some concrete blocks added to it. The river left drop has had some stone ripped out and there is metal spikes in it, river right has had a section cut out also. If the Erme becomes paddleable, befor the works are finished, it will proberly best portage this drop or if high levels paddle river right off the big bolder.

[Simon Westgarth]

Here are some images of some construction on a small weir, mid way down the Classic Erme section. This is the second attempt in 10 years to build some kind of fish ladder, on this feature. Currently the salmon reds are below the town of Ivybridge. However with this kind of construction going on upstream of the reds, would suggest that a fish release on the upper river is planned.



Images from Mark Allan

[Jack Butcher]

No picture of the swing shovel! that's the best bit, boys toys!

[Jack Butcher]

16mm dartcom has recorded this morning, erme should be going in an hour or so.
Jack

[Jack Butcher]

Apparently all of the dumpy bags full of rocks washed away in the big flows yesterday, and the left line runs fine again. They have got to start again.

[Ross W]

this is true,

And jack, the swing diggers back!

[Ross W]

Here are some images of some construction on a small weir, mid way down the Classic Erme section. This is the second attempt in 10 years to build some kind of fish ladder, on this feature. Currently the salmon reds are below the town of Ivybridge. However with this kind of construction going on upstream of the reds, would suggest that a fish release on the upper river is planned.

After the high flows of tuesday... The above bags have been washed away/gone.


As you can see.. its still had an effect. as the drops now alot steeper.

[pH]

How about the metal spike river left on the drop? Is it still there? The other day it looked as if the rock had been chipped off and a spike drilled in. Guessing that now the sand bags have gone it's under water! Be carefull.

[Mark Allen]

17mm of rain in 3 hrs - Should be runnibg soon!

[Mark Allen]

The weir is finished. It looks quite nasty river left there are two very pinny steps in the slot and river right there has been section of concrete cut out allowing a channel through, but there is a metal mesh cover put on top of it causing a sump.

[Mark Allen]

The weir is finished. It looks quite nasty river left there are two very pinny steps in the slot and river right there has been section of concrete cut out allowing a channel through, but there is a metal mesh cover put on top of it causing a sump.

[Simon Westgarth]

The weir is finished. It looks quite nasty river left there are two very pinny steps in the slot and river right there has been section of concrete cut out allowing a channel through, but there is a metal mesh cover put on top of it causing a sump.

Images please Mark?

[Mark Allen]

Sorry it was raining and quite dark!! River left looks like it did when they last did it but maybe the first step abit closer to the first drop. The right hand line - have a look at the previous picture where the channel has been cut out, just put a metal grate/drain cover accross it!

[tomdowns]

It's fine to run. Normal line river left as long as its not stupid low and you keep your nose up. or river right if it's tanking :)

[Vanden]

Not a particularly good picture but the Erme was running well today, wish i could of got on it.



Will try and get another picture when the level is a bit lower to see what is beneath the water as there was a nasty bit of metal at the top on river left above the drop which someone must of pulled out at some point.




Mark

[Simon Westgarth]

Cheers Mark, it appears the steep entry for the left line, has gone, but I'll wait until I have paddled it this season to comment more.

[Vanden]

Went back today with the water a bit lower but only had my phone to take pics with.

It didn't fill me with joy when I saw it.



Mark

[Phil86]

What's the Erme been upto?
Any idea if it will be worth a trip on Wednesday afternoon?
BBC reckons Devon will be getting some rain this week.

[jmmoxon]

High water today at lunchtime, there were a lot of trees hanging low over the river before the slot drop & after the weir in Ivybridge, all avoidable but could cause major problems in flood conditions. Level will have dropped by tomorrow, but should still be paddleable.

Mike

[Ollieswims!]

Any idea on the level for the weekend? Small amounts of rain forecasted thoughtout the week but im not sure if its enough to keep it at a floatable level.

Cheers,
Ollie.

[jmmoxon]

As the forecast seems to change every 3 hours, I'm afraid we'll have to wait & see - there was far more last night than forecast suggested.

10mm should be good to go.

Mike

[Ollieswims!]

There's 9.3mm's forecasted on Saturday. Hopefully that will keep the erme and upper on a nice level for Sunday.

[Mark Allen]

The Erme was still at a paddleable level this morning and would of come up with todays rain. All rivers around Dartmoor were running today, and most should be tomorrow.

[jmmoxon]

The rebuilt weir at lowish water. The far side has small walls built into it which channel the flow & nearside you can just make out the metal grill fixed over the channel seen in Mark Allen's photo above (posted by Simon Westgarth).

There is also still a tree in the 2nd 90 degree bend below viaduct - it's on the bottom, so only a problem at low water or for swimmers (can't even see it at medium/high)

Should be paddleable over weekend with overnight rain.

Mike

[DaveWortley]

The weir is finished. It looks quite nasty river left there are two very pinny steps in the slot and river right there has been section of concrete cut out allowing a channel through, but there is a metal mesh cover put on top of it causing a sump.

We ran the Erme on Saturday morning, level wasn't that high, I had decided when walking to the get on not to run this down the left. But a couple of people decided it didn't look that bad, both of them went over the top of the drop and hit their nose, momentarily pinning them, but they quickly became free and then the rest of the drop looked pretty sketchy. It'd be fine with a bit more water I guess...

[jadedkayaker]

Caught a glimpse from the A38 this morning - loads of water, no rocks visible on the south side (downstream) of the road.
Andy

[MattC]

River rose rapidly this afternoon. Was very high by 4pm!

M