River Tavy - Hill Bridge to Tavistock

[KrisBD]

Read full River Guide

[markdamen]

Wow! That looks very different. Is this the bit that I would refer to as the "middle tavy"? Hill bridge had a broken weir, and we normally put on just below it where the road meets the river, then an inital drop?


How is in going to change the river??

[KrisBD]

It's the one at the get in for this section http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/uppertavy.htm
As to how it will change the river, I think it'll be a case of wait and see.

[markdamen]

This is the one I was thinking of so WOW, massive change. Any guesses as to whether this will was out the first little drop after the weir, or whether it will cause the level in the first mile to rise of fall from its usual?

[Ross W]

By the look of things, I think that summer levels will be alot lower... but once it has water in it, the levels should be the same as befor... maybe sligtly lower.. But, This has to be good surely, the old weir wasnt in the best shape was it?

[HUNTER]

If you paddle this section any time soon be very careful as the defences for this work have been washed away at least twice.

This has resulted in lots of large sand bags, rope and long lengths of pipe in different diameters being washed down the river. They have lost a 1m x 5m section (This work is being done for environmental reasons) Most of this can be seen at low levels but not at high.

This will make a larger pool above but will not change the river below.

[Mark Allen]

At 6pm the river was at a lovley high level still rising. At presant no trees blocking the Hill bridge to Hartford section.

[Mark R]

Guide.

[Mark R]

Colin Greaves ... 'I paddled the lower section from Tavistock to Denham bridge last Saturday (16th Dec'06) with a few mates. Excellent run, lots to do for beginners plus a few interesting drops/rapids for the more experienced. Similar level of difficulty to Dart Loop just more spread out and the best bit ...there were no other paddlers. At the exit we did not meet any "grumpy old men" which was excellent ...possibly he was doing his Christmas shopping in Tavistock!'

[markdamen]

anybody have an updated pic of what this looks like now, havent made it down this way for a long while now..

[HUNTER]

The work is still not finished. When it is I will post up some pictures of it at a paddle able level.
Good new is that the river has been cleared of all the rubbish which was washed down in the summer.

[Ross W]

Paddled it yesterday, No trees or anything like that to be found. Good medium level I suppose. The weir however is still not finished.

I'll post some pictures up of it later.

[Ross W]

Paddled it yesterday, No trees or anything like that to be found. Good medium level I suppose. The weir however is still not finished.

I'll post some pictures up of it later.

The weir from up stream:


Weir from down stream:




With the respected levels down stream (The first drop)


Looking up stream to the lead in to main drop



Again, Feel free to use these in the guide

[Mark R]

New pics added today.

[markdamen]

any news/more pics on the weir here?

[sleepswiththefishees]

To those who know: Will this section be runnable this weekend (31st jan, 1st feb)? Or will there not be enough water?

[Simon Westgarth]

To those who know: Will this section be runnable this weekend (31st jan, 1st feb)? Or will there not be enough water?

May be on Saturday morning, may be!! Perhaps from the Mary Tavy power station to Denhen Bridge would be better, as this holds its water a little longer.

[DanJ]

I was loking at running this section on SUnday but am guessing the level will have dropped off? Any one got some alternate similar venues to suggest that would be good for Sunday?

Ta,

[Simon Westgarth]

Tomorrow, only the usually bigger river runs will go, the Teign, Dart, Tamar, Exe, Barle and East Lyn, none of the flood runs are likely be in.

[KrisBD]

I drove past the top weir on Tuesday (the one with the work being done to it). Work on the weir looks to have finished except for some tiding up of the site. Fencing was still in place blocking easy access.

[Mark Allen]

When we last paddled this a few weeks ago, we talked to the workers there and in the summer they are building a concrete step accross the whole of the weir.

[Robbie C]

Great photos, it's on my list to do!

Where will the step be? I hope it's not some kind of sill? Another Bolham weir in the making?

Cheers Robbie C.

[Mark Allen]

Talking to the workers - it does sound likes its going to be a sill.

[HUNTER]

There are lots of new trees down due to the recent snow on the top section.
Some of them are blocking the best lines.

[andywalker]

Just an idea - not mine originally, but seemed a sensible one.

If everyone shuttled from Harford Bridge up the river left via Peter Tavy, but came back down the other way through from Hill Bridge via Horndon and Mary Tavy, (which is virtually the same distance), it would make things a bit easier...

Andy.

[Jeeves]

Hi guys, is anyone paddling this section on saturday? We want to but only have one car between us so we are looking for someone to share a shuttle with?

Many thanks,
Mike

[Mark Allen]

There is going to be no water in it.

[HUNTER]

Sorry to say I walked by the river today and there is not enough water. The lower will be low also.

[jmmoxon]

Trees are still a big issue, the trickiest one is just on the 1st corner as you look down from Hill Bridge - inspect before paddling.

Mike

[johnny]

Looking at the guage on the webcam, does anyone know at what level would be a good medium flow to paddle at and at what level it becomes a bit of a scrape? i.e 25cm = 50cm= 75cm=

Also any predictions for levels this sunday?

Many thanks.

Johnny