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River Exe

The River Exe is a major river in South West England that originates at Exe Head on Exmoor in Somerset, approximately 8 kilometres from the Bristol Channel, and flows southward for 96 kilometres through Devon, passing rural moorlands, the towns of Tiverton and Exeter, before entering the Exe Estuary and discharging into the English Channel at Exmouth.^[1]^[2] Draining a catchment of 1,520 square kilometres that encompasses diverse landscapes including moorland, farmland, and urban areas, the river receives significant contributions from tributaries such as the River Barle, River Haddeo, River Lowman, River Batherm, and River Culm, which together shape its flow regime and ecological character.^[3] At the gauging station near Thorverton, the river maintains an average discharge of 15.9 cubic metres per second, reflecting its responsive hydrology to high rainfall on Exmoor, where annual precipitation can exceed 2,000 millimetres, though flows vary seasonally with winter peaks and summer lows.^[4] Historically, the River Exe has been central to regional development since Roman times, when legionaries established the fortress of Isca Dumnoniorum (modern Exeter) around 50 AD, leveraging the waterway for military logistics, trade, and settlement in the fertile Devon landscape.^[5] By the medieval period, it facilitated commerce in wool and other goods through ports like Topsham, prompting engineering feats such as the Exeter Canal, completed in 1566 to circumvent weirs and enhance navigability for barges and mills.^[5] In the 20th century, the river supported industrial activities and water management, including the construction of Wimbleball Reservoir in 1979 for supply and flood control, while a record 61-pound salmon caught in 1924 underscored its angling heritage.^[5] Ecologically, the Exe is renowned for its salmon populations and biodiversity, with conservation efforts by organizations like the Westcountry Rivers Trust focusing on habitat restoration and fry releases to combat declines from pollution and barriers.^[2] The Exe Estuary, a drowned river valley forming a ria, is internationally protected as a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive, hosting wintering birds, salt marshes, mudflats, and eelgrass beds that sustain migratory species and marine life.^[6] Today, the river remains vital for recreation—offering canoeing, sailing, and trails like the Exe Estuary Cycle Path—while facing challenges from flooding, agricultural runoff, and climate change, addressed through catchment management plans.^[5]^[3]

Geography

Course

The River Exe originates at Exe Head, a moorland spring near the village of Simonsbath in Somerset, within Exmoor National Park, at coordinates 51°09′33″N 3°47′12″W and an elevation of approximately 458 meters above sea level. From this upland source, the river initially flows eastward through open moorland and Prayway Meads before turning southeast, carving through deeply incised valleys and gathering small brooks as it descends.^[7]^[8] The river maintains a predominantly southerly course for a total length of 96 kilometers, transitioning from the rugged terrain of Exmoor in Somerset into the more settled landscapes of Devon. It passes through notable areas including the vicinity of Dulverton where it is joined by the River Barle from the right bank, continues past Tiverton, and flows alongside rural valleys before reaching the urban setting of Exeter. Major tributaries along its path include the River Haddeo entering from the left bank below Dulverton, the River Culm from the left near Stoke Canon, the River Creedy from the right at Cowley, and the River Clyst from the left just east of Exeter.^[1]^[8]^[5] Downstream of Exeter, the Exe enters the Exe Estuary, a bar-built ria formed by a submerged river valley that extends southward for about 13 kilometers. The estuary's tidal extent is restricted upstream by Trews Weir, located approximately 3 kilometers south of Exeter city center, beyond which the river remains non-tidal. Near Exeter, sections of the river have been canalized since the 16th century via the Exeter Ship Canal, a 5-kilometer bypass designed to navigate sandbanks and weirs for improved navigation. The river ultimately reaches its mouth at Exmouth in Lyme Bay on the English Channel, at coordinates 50°36′53″N 3°25′30″W and an elevation of 0 meters.^[8]^[9]^[5]

Hydrology

The River Exe drains a catchment basin of approximately 1,530 km², encompassing diverse terrain across southwest England, including moorlands in Somerset and Devon.^[10] The upper catchment, particularly on Exmoor, features high rainfall that significantly contributes to the river's hydrology, with average annual precipitation reaching up to 2,018 mm in elevated areas.^[4] At the Thorverton gauging station, which monitors flow for a sub-catchment of about 601 km², the long-term average discharge is 15.89 m³/s.^[6] Flows exhibit pronounced seasonal variations, with winter peaks driven by intense rainfall over Exmoor and saturated moorland soils, leading to higher runoff and discharge rates compared to drier summer months.^[9] Water quality in the Exe reflects its moorland origins, with pH levels occasionally dipping to around 6.0 due to natural organic acids from peaty soils, though overall means hover near neutral at 7.56.^[11] The river demonstrates high acid neutralizing capacity, indicating resilience and the absence of severe impacts from acid rain despite regional atmospheric deposition.^[12] The estuary experiences tidal influences extending upstream to Trews Weir near Exeter, where the tide limits freshwater flow and introduces salinity gradients that modulate regimes in the lower basin.^[6]

History

Etymology

The name of the River Exe originates from the Common Brittonic term *uɨsk, a pre-Roman Celtic word meaning "abounding in fish," which reflects the river's historical richness in aquatic life.^[13] This linguistic root is part of the broader Brittonic language spoken by Celtic peoples in ancient Britain before the Anglo-Saxon period.^[14] In historical records, the river's name appears as "Exe" in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror, indicating its established usage by the late Anglo-Saxon and early Norman eras.^[15] Medieval documents continued to employ this form with minimal variation, solidifying "Exe" as the standard English name.^[2] The etymology connects the River Exe to other waterways sharing the same Indo-European root *peisk-, related to "fish," such as the River Usk in Wales (from Welsh Wysg) and the River Axe in southwest England.^[13] These names highlight a pattern in Celtic hydronyms emphasizing environmental abundance, though some interpretations link the base form more broadly to "water."^[14] This linguistic heritage underscores the river's role in supporting fish populations, tying into its ecological significance.^[2]

Development

The River Exe played a pivotal role in the medieval growth of Exeter, particularly through the establishment of watermills on Exe Island, which emerged as the city's industrial hub by the late 12th century. Drained from marshland using leats in the 10th century, the island hosted woollen fulling mills and corn mills that powered the burgeoning wool trade, a cornerstone of Exeter's economy in southwest England. These mills, including early examples like the Cluniac monks' mill at Salmon Poll from the mid-12th century and Nicholas Gervaise's mill granted in 1180–1190, processed raw wool into cloth, supporting tanneries, dye houses, and bronze foundries while facilitating trade via nearby quays. The completion of Exe Bridge in 1240 by Nicholas and Walter Gervase further boosted connectivity, enabling easier transport of goods and contributing to Exeter's expansion as a regional center.^[16]^[17] In the 19th century, efforts to enhance navigation on the River Exe focused on canalization to overcome natural barriers like weirs, with the Exeter Canal undergoing significant improvements. Originally constructed in the 1560s to bypass Countess Wear Weir, the canal was extended to Topsham in 1676 and deepened to 10 feet by William Bayley between 1698 and 1701. Under civil engineer James Green, further upgrades in the 1820s included widening in 1821, lengthening to Turf in 1824–1825, and the addition of a 900-foot-long, 18-foot-deep basin in 1830, allowing larger vessels—up to 200 tons—to reach Exeter Quay and revitalizing trade in timber, coal, and other commodities. These modifications addressed silting and tidal challenges, bypassing weirs that had previously restricted access and promoting economic activity in the city.^[18]^[19] During the 20th century, the River Exe supported industrial applications, including limited hydropower generation and continued shipping in the estuary. Near Tiverton, early proposals around the turn of the century recommended harnessing the river's flow below the confluence with the River Lowman for public electricity supply, utilizing two 100-horsepower turbines at a site adjacent to the sewage farm to power local needs. In the estuary, commercial shipping thrived initially, with the Exeter Canal handling imports of petrol, oil, timber, coal, cement, and potatoes, supported by warehouses along the quayside and facilitating transshipment from larger vessels anchored offshore.^[20]^[21] The mid-20th century marked a transition, with commercial navigation on the River Exe declining sharply after the 1960s due to the rise of road transport and the loss of railway sidings. By 1968, ports like Topsham and Exeter were in terminal decline, as lorries offered faster and more flexible alternatives for goods movement, rendering the canal's infrastructure obsolete for bulk cargo. The last foreign-going commercial ship departed in 1973, shifting the waterway's primary use toward recreation and leaving behind a legacy of deindustrialization along the estuary.^[21]

Ecology

Flora and Fauna

The River Exe supports a diverse array of fish species, including self-sustaining populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and late-running Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in its upper reaches, where salmon undertake spawning migrations. Coarse fish such as roach (Rutilus rutilus) and dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) are abundant in the middle and lower sections, contributing to the river's ecological productivity.^[22]^[23] In the Exe Estuary, birdlife thrives, particularly among wintering waders that exploit the intertidal mudflats for foraging. Key species include avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta), dunlins (Calidris alpina), and oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus), which gather in large flocks to feed on invertebrates. The estuary's designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) underscores its importance for these migratory and resident birds.^[24] Riparian vegetation along the riverbanks features alder (Alnus glutinosa) and willow (Salix spp.) trees, which stabilize the soil and provide shaded habitat, alongside reed beds (Phragmites australis) in wetland margins. In clearer, faster-flowing sections, aquatic plants like water crowfoot (Ranunculus spp.) form dense submerged mats, enhancing oxygen levels and supporting invertebrate communities.^[22]^[25]^[26] Mammals such as Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) patrol the upper estuary and river channels, while kingfishers (Alcedo atthis) are frequently observed hunting along the banks. Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) have established a population estimated at 14–25 individuals in the River Exe catchment as of 2024, aiding in habitat restoration through dam-building activities.^[27] Invertebrates, including mayflies (Ephemeroptera), serve as indicators of water quality in unpolluted stretches, reflecting the river's overall health.^[28]^[24] Habitat diversity varies from the moorland headwaters on Exmoor, where acid-tolerant species like sphagnum mosses and heather (Calluna vulgaris) dominate peaty soils, to the estuarine saltmarshes fringed by cordgrass (Spartina spp.) and sea purslane (Halimione portulacoides), which support specialized brackish communities. This gradient fosters a rich biodiversity continuum from upland to coastal zones.^[29]^[26]^[30]

Environmental Issues

The River Exe faces significant water quality challenges primarily from nutrient enrichment due to agricultural runoff, which has led to eutrophication in the lower reaches and estuary. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizers, livestock manure, and slurry enter the river through diffuse pollution, accounting for approximately 54% of failures to meet Water Framework Directive (WFD) standards in the East Devon sub-catchment.^[31] This nutrient loading promotes algal blooms, as evidenced by chlorophyll-a concentrations exceeding 10 μg/L in the Exe Estuary, resulting in oxygen depletion and habitat degradation for aquatic life.^[31] Invasive non-native plant species, particularly Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), proliferate along the riverbanks, outcompeting native vegetation and reducing biodiversity. Himalayan balsam, with its rapid spread via explosive seed pods, dominates riparian zones in the upper catchment, including areas around Exmoor, while Japanese knotweed forms dense stands that destabilize banks near Tiverton.^[32] These invasives alter habitats by smothering indigenous flora and increasing flood risk through bank erosion. Climate change exacerbates environmental pressures on the River Exe, with projections indicating increased erosion in the upper moorlands of Exmoor due to more intense rainfall and altered flow regimes. In the estuary, rising sea levels and reduced freshwater inputs are expected to modify salinity gradients, potentially shifting from well-mixed to partially stratified conditions and affecting brackish habitats.^[33] These changes, combined with warmer temperatures, threaten sediment transport and coastal stability, as outlined in assessments of the Exe Estuary's vulnerability.^[33] Historical pollution in the Exe catchment, particularly from agricultural herbicides and sewage effluents near Tiverton and Exeter, has long impacted water quality but is now subject to stricter regulations under EU directives. Acidic herbicides like MCPA and mecoprop, applied for grassland weed control, frequently exceeded the EU Drinking Water Directive's 0.1 μg/L limit in the River Lowman tributary near Tiverton and downstream of Tiverton Sewage Treatment Works.^[34] Similarly, discharges from Countess Wear Sewage Treatment Works in Exeter contribute pharmaceuticals and nutrients, though the EU Water Framework Directive has driven improvements through initiatives like pesticide monitoring and treatment upgrades. As of September 2025, high levels of pollution, particularly from sewage discharges, have led to warnings about the river's safety for swimming and prompted calls for improved management to protect public health and ecology.^[31]^[34]^[35] Biodiversity in the River Exe is declining, with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations particularly affected by migration barriers and historical overfishing. Weirs and dams, with barriers occurring on average every 1.3 km across Europe, block access to spawning grounds, contributing to a record-low rod catch of 5,188 salmon across England and Wales in 2023, including sharp declines in the Exe and adjacent rivers like the Dart.^[36] Overfishing in past decades has compounded these pressures, leading to the species' classification as Endangered on the IUCN Red List for Great Britain in 2023.^[36]

Human Use

Settlements

The River Exe originates near the village of Simonsbath in Exmoor National Park, where it serves as a focal point for local rural communities in the upper reaches, marking the river's headwaters amid moorland landscapes.^[37] In the mid-reaches, the river passes through Tiverton, a historic market town at the confluence of the Exe and the River Lowman, where early 19th-century textile mills, such as Heathcoat's Mill, were powered by the river's flow and contributed to the town's industrial heritage.^[38] Nearby, Crediton lies adjacent to the River Creedy, a key tributary that joins the Exe at Cowley Bridge, supporting the town's position in the fertile Exe Valley with agricultural and historical ties to the waterway.^[39] As the river approaches its lower reaches, it flows through Exeter, the largest settlement along its course and a major city with a population of approximately 137,000 (mid-2024 est.) who depend on the Exe for their primary water supply, abstracted and treated upstream to serve urban needs.^[40]^[41] The city features the Old Exe Bridge, a medieval stone structure completed by 1214 that once spanned the river, now partially ruined but emblematic of Exeter's long-standing river crossing.^[42] Downstream, Topsham functions as a historic port village on the east bank of the Exe estuary, its quayside and merchant houses reflecting centuries of maritime activity linked to the river's navigable waters.^[43] At the estuary mouth, Exmouth emerges as a seaside resort town with extensive coastal development, including promenades and harbors that integrate with the river's outlet to the English Channel.^[44] The Exe estuary near Exeter also accommodates significant infrastructure, such as the M5 motorway viaduct, a multi-span concrete structure that crosses the tidal waters between junctions 30 and 31, facilitating regional transport while overlooking the surrounding marshlands.^[45]

Recreation and Economy

The River Exe supports a variety of water-based recreational activities, particularly in its estuary, where sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing are popular. The Exe Sailing Club in Exmouth, an RYA-accredited training center, offers dinghy racing, cruiser activities, and training programs for participants of all levels, fostering a vibrant sailing community along the estuary.^[46] Local operators like Exmouth Watersports provide lessons and equipment hire for windsurfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, capitalizing on the sheltered waters and consistent winds of the Exe Estuary.^[47] These pursuits attract enthusiasts year-round, contributing to the region's appeal as a watersports destination.^[48] Tourism along the River Exe emphasizes outdoor exploration, with walking trails and angling opportunities drawing visitors to Exmoor and the surrounding valleys. The Exe Valley Way, a 50-mile long-distance footpath, traces the river from its estuary at Exmouth to Exford in Exmoor National Park, offering scenic routes through moorland, woodlands, and riverside meadows suitable for day hikes or multi-day treks.^[49] Fishing for trout and salmon requires permits managed by organizations such as the River Exe and Tributaries Association (RETA), which grants access to beats on the middle and lower river for a modest annual fee, alongside mandatory Environment Agency rod licenses for anglers over 12.^[50]^[51] These activities promote sustainable tourism while highlighting the river's natural beauty and biodiversity. Economically, the River Exe facilitates small-scale shipping and agricultural productivity in Devon's lowlands. The Port of Exeter, accessible via the Exeter Ship Canal connected to the Exe Estuary, handles limited cargo including bulk materials, agricultural products, and general freight, supporting local trade despite its modest scale compared to larger UK ports.^[52] In the Devon lowlands, the river's flow enables irrigation and abstraction for farming, sustaining mixed agricultural systems—primarily livestock and arable production—across the predominantly rural catchment, where over 45% of holdings contribute to the regional economy through pasture and crop cultivation.^[53]^[54] Cultural events tied to the river enhance community engagement and tourism. The annual River Exe Regatta, held over a summer weekend in the estuary near Exmouth, features dinghy races, cruiser events, and beach activities organized by local sailing clubs, celebrating the waterway's recreational heritage.^[55] In Exeter, the City of Exeter Regatta on the quayside includes rowing competitions and family-friendly spectacles, while guided historical tours by the Red Coat Guides explore the quayside's maritime past, from medieval trade to canal-era developments along the River Exe.^[56]^[57] The river also plays a role in modern renewable energy production through small hydroelectric schemes. The Mid Devon District Council's proposed run-of-river hydro project on the Exe aims to generate approximately 534,000 kWh annually with a 150 kW peak output, powering local facilities like council offices.^[58] Similarly, the proposed community-owned Trews Weir Hydro scheme in Exeter plans to utilize an Archimedean screw turbine to produce clean energy from the river's flow, exemplifying sustainable micro-generation efforts in the catchment.^[59]

Management

Flood Control

Flood management on the River Exe has been shaped by a history of significant inundation events, particularly in the 1960s, when severe floods in October and December 1960 affected over 3,000 properties across Exeter, Tiverton, and Exmouth, including factories and shops in the Exe Valley.^[60]^[61] These events prompted the development of early infrastructure, such as spillways and weirs in Exeter, which doubled the river's flood capacity to handle peak discharges up to 700 m³/s.^[62] More recent major flood events include the January 2023 inundation along the River Exe, triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall from 12 to 14 January, which caused widespread property flooding in areas like Bickleigh and Exebridge.^[63] In November 2024, Storm Bert brought heavy rain and strong winds to Devon, leading to the River Exe reaching full flow and bursting banks near Crediton, with over 500 properties flooded across England and Wales.^[64]^[65] Storm Éowyn in January 2025 exacerbated risks, causing localised flooding and road closures across Devon on 25–27 January due to gusts up to 75 mph and up to 25 mm of rain in 24 hours.^[66]^[67]^[68] Key infrastructure for flood control includes Trews Weir, located near the tidal limit in Exeter, which features a relief channel and side spill weir that direct excess water during high flows, with recent lowering to increase capacity and mitigate combined river and tidal flooding downstream.^[69]^[70] The Exeter Flood Defence Scheme, operational since phases completed in 2022–2023, incorporates 14 flood gates, demountable and temporary barriers, pumping stations, and raised embankments to protect over 3,000 homes and businesses in urban Exeter from fluvial and tidal surges.^[69]^[71] Monitoring efforts rely on gauges such as the one at Thorverton, which tracks river levels since 1956 and triggers flood warnings when exceeding 1.90 m, covering areas from Up Exe to Thorverton.^[72] Post-2023 events, the Environment Agency has collaborated with Devon County Council and Exeter City Council to enhance forecasting, including a new model for overlapping river-tidal scenarios downstream of Trews Weir, operational as of August 2025.^[71]^[73] The primary risk areas remain the low-lying Exe Estuary, including Exmouth, and urban Exeter, where the highest concentrations of people and properties are vulnerable to both river overflow and coastal surges, as outlined in the Exe Catchment Flood Management Plan.^[74] These zones, particularly St Thomas, Exwick, and the Quay area, face ongoing threats from climate-driven increases in peak flows.^[73]^[75]

Conservation

The Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP), established in 1995, serves as a key forum for local authorities, government agencies, conservation organizations, and community groups to collaborate on habitat preservation and sustainable management of the estuary. The partnership develops and implements multi-year management plans, such as the 2022-2027 Exe Estuary Management Plan, which outline policies for protecting saltmarshes, mudflats, and other habitats vital to the estuary's ecosystem.^[76] The Exe Estuary holds protected status as a Ramsar wetland site, designated in 1992 for its international importance as a habitat for wintering waterbirds, including species like dark-bellied brent geese and avocets. It is also notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1952, recognizing its value for ornithological conservation, with ongoing condition assessments ensuring favorable status for bird populations.^[77]^[78] Restoration initiatives include the Connecting the Culm project, a partnership effort launched in 2018 and continuing from 2023, which focuses on reconnecting the River Culm—a major tributary of the Exe—with its floodplain to enhance ecological connectivity, water quality, and biodiversity through nature-based solutions like setback embankments and wetland creation. Additional efforts involve habitat enhancements for species such as otters (Lutra lutra), including the installation of holt structures and riparian vegetation improvements along the Exe to support population recovery in Devon rivers.^[79]^[80] The Environment Agency and Natural England oversee monitoring and regulatory compliance for the River Exe under the EU Water Framework Directive (transposed into UK law), assessing ecological status through regular sampling of water quality, flow regimes, and biological indicators to guide restoration and prevent deterioration. These bodies coordinate with the EEMP to enforce protections for designated sites and address pressures on aquatic habitats.^[31] Community involvement plays a vital role through volunteer-led programs in Devon, such as EEMP-organized clean-up events that engage around 100 participants annually to remove litter from estuary shorelines, and initiatives by groups like Devon Wildlife Trust targeting invasive species removal, including Himalayan balsam along riverbanks to prevent habitat degradation. These efforts foster local stewardship and directly contribute to maintaining the Exe's environmental health.^[81]

References

[1]
[PDF] 5.2. River Exe - Coastal and Geotechnical Services
Extending for a length of 96 kilometres, the Exe reaches the sea as a substantial ria, the Exe Estuary, on the English Channel coast. The Exe flows through a ...
[2]
River Exe - Westcountry Rivers Trust
The headwaters of the Exe lie in the Exmoor National Park. From its source at Exehead, the river flows across the moorland and passes across the rural Exe ...
[3]
[PDF] 019-Exe-Catchment-Investigation-report.pdf - SWEEP
The main river system within the catchment is the River Exe (Source to. River Creedy) and its tributaries the Rivers Barle, Quarme, Haddeo, Batherm and Lowman.<|control11|><|separator|>
[4]
Exe | UK Environmental Change Network
The River Exe rises at a level of 450 m AOD in the wet moorland of Exmoor ... Further south of these tributaries down towards Tiverton the floodplain opens out ...
[5]
Devon's Rivers: The Exe - BBC
Feb 5, 2008 · The River Exe is more than 50 miles long and stretches almost all the way from the Bristol Channel in the north to the English Channel in the ...
[6]
[PDF] The Exe Estuary - CORE
Rivers entering the Exe Estuary are unlikely to cause problems with regard to metals though elevated levels are reported near the head of the estuary at ...
[7]
River Exe - - Exmoor Waters and Rivers
The river begins its journey at Exe Head at an elevation of 458 metres. It ... Source: 457.9 m or 1502.4 feet – Location :51.15831,-3.78638. Click the ...Missing: coordinates | Show results with:coordinates
[8]
River Exe - Somerset Rivers
The Rivers journey from source to Exebridge is approximately 23 miles. Below you can watch a playlist of videos of the Little Exe from source to its confluence ...
[9]
[PDF] Sediment yields in the Exe Basin: a longer-term perspective
70% of the total sediment load and runoff delivered by the three tributaries, although it makes up just over 50% of the total catchment area. The relatively ...
[10]
Later Pleistocene evolution of the Exe valley: A chronstratigraphic ...
The catchment. The river Exe drains an area (1530 km2) of complex relief including parts of the uplands of Dartmoor, the Exmoor plateau and the Blackdown ...Missing: Somerset | Show results with:Somerset
[11]
[PDF] The River Exe
Barle, Quarme, Pulham and Haddeo, as well as other smaller tributaries. The area is included in the Devon. East Management Catchment and the. Exe Main ...Missing: mouth credible
[12]
Exe (Creedy to Estuary) Water Body - Defra data services platform
Monitoring sites which have been used to classify this water body ; RIVER EXE AT TREWS WEIR EXETER 70540110, 2010, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2013, 2019, 2016, 2014 ...
[13]
Reconstruction:Proto-Brythonic/Uɨsk - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
A river name, perhaps originally meaning "abundant in fish". Descendants. Middle Welsh: Wÿsk. Welsh: Wysg; → English: Usk. → English: Axe ...Missing: Brittonic uisk
[14]
Fish – Celtiadur - Omniglot
Oct 25, 2020 · Etymology: from the Proto-Indo-European *pisḱ-/peysḱ- (fish) [source]. The name of the river Exe in Devon comes from the same root, as does ...Missing: Brittonic | Show results with:Brittonic
[15]
Devonshire C-D - The Domesday Book Online
On the River Exe. Chittleburn. Chichelesberie / beria: William from Iudhael of Totnes. Tiny; Chittleburn Wood. Chittlehampton. Curem'tone / Citremetona ...
[16]
Exe Island - Exeter Memories
Exe Island is the land between the river and the Upper Leat. It stretches from Head Weir just above the Mill on the Exe to beyond Cricklepit Mill.
[17]
the water mills of Exeter
Oct 12, 2015 · One of the earliest mills in Exeter was that of the Cluniac monks of St James, who in the middle of the 12th Century built a mill at Salmon Poll.<|control11|><|separator|>
[18]
[PDF] The Exeter Ship Canal - The Inland Waterways Association
May 26, 2024 · The canal basin, 900 ft long and 18 ft deep, was constructed in 1830 after the Exeter Ship Canal was lengthened and improved by James Green in ...Missing: 19th | Show results with:19th
[19]
James Green - County Surveyor - Exeter Memories
Green widened the canal in 1821, lengthened it in 1824, and added the Canal Basin in 1830. The canal basin, 900 feet long and 18 feet deep, was opened by the ...Missing: improvements | Show results with:improvements
[20]
[PDF] The Early Years of Hydro-electricity for Public Supply in Devon
recommended the use of water power from the river Exe near the sewage farm, below the confluence with the river Lowman, using initially two 100-hp turbines.
[21]
The History of Exeter Quayside and Canal - ExeterMemories
Dec 11, 2013 · In 1311, Hugh de Courtenay blocked the central section, preventing boats from sailing up to Exeter, stopping the tidal movement up to the city ...Missing: improvements | Show results with:improvements
[22]
[PDF] River Exe - Wild Trout Trust
Mar 15, 2025 · The fishery is currently supporting a self-sustaining population of brown trout Salmo trutta with 'late runs' of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar as ...
[23]
River Exe - Weirfield - Exeter & District Angling Association
The River Exe Weirfield is a productive fishery with roach, dace, tench, bream (up to 8lb) and carp (up to 24lb). Bream are common. Access is near the old city ...
[24]
Wildlife on the Exe - Exe Estuary Management Partnership
Many different waders call the estuary home in winter including dunlin, oystercatcher, avocet, lapwing, black-tailed godwit, curlew, grey plover and redshank.Missing: SSSI | Show results with:SSSI
[25]
Seeing the wood for the trees - River Exe and Tributaries Association
Jun 25, 2025 · Runnuculus (water crowfoot) has begun to grow, and deposition has ... River Exe and Tributaries Association - Somerset Web Design by ...
[26]
Wildlife habitats - Exe Estuary Management Partnership
The Exe is largely made up of 5 different types of habitats; Mudflats, Eel Grass, Mussel Beds, Saltmarsh and Reedbeds.Missing: moorland | Show results with:moorland
[27]
Otter spotted in city centre river in Exeter - BBC
Jul 18, 2023 · An otter has been repeatedly spotted coming in and out of a city centre river. The otter has been seen in daylight by the River Exe which ...
[28]
[PDF] Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) - JNCC
Geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude): ... It drains diverse habitats ranging from the moorland of Exmoor National Park at the headwaters of the River Exe ...
[29]
[PDF] A Study from Exmoor
floodplain environment was dominated by cold-loving grassland and fen species (Fyfe et al., 2003), as would be expected in arctic-steppe conditions ...
[30]
[PDF] Assessment of Water Quality status, drivers and impacts in the Exe ...
Soils are relatively freely draining acid loamy soils over Permian mudstone siltstone or sandstone (Westcountry Rivers Trust,. 2014). The main tributaries are ...Missing: pH | Show results with:pH
[31]
[PDF] 2024-08_R_Bolham Weir, Tiverton – EcIA FINAL
Mar 6, 2024 · included Himalayan balsam and Japanese knotweed. The single record of Himalayan balsam was within the vicinity of the Site, located ...
[32]
Bampton and Beer Downs - Planning - Devon County Council
Invasive water-borne weeds (e.g. Himalayan Balsam; Japanese Knotweed) affecting native riparian vegetation and habitats. Decline in diversity of flower ...<|separator|>
[33]
State of the Exe Estuary
These habitats will also be at risk from increased erosion and changing physical conditions (including temperature, salinity and sediment transport) due to ...
[34]
Calibration and application of the Chemcatcher® passive sampler ...
Jun 25, 2018 · ... European Union's Water Framework Directive (EU Directive ... River Exe catchment, which has a long history of pollution by acidic herbicides.
[35]
The Fading Away of Westcountry salmon
Oct 30, 2024 · Recent reports suggest that salmon populations in southwest England continue to decline, with the Atlantic salmon placed on the IUCN red list in 2023 as ...Missing: overfishing | Show results with:overfishing
[36]
The River Exe, Exe Valley, Exmoor - VisitExmoor
The River Exe rises in Somerset near the village of Simonsbath and wends its way through the beautiful Exmoor landscape.
[37]
[PDF] The Culm Valley Cloth Story - Tiverton Museum
There is a long history of cloth and clothing production in settlements and mills using water power along the Culm, with some exports from Exeter and Topsham.
[38]
Creedy and West Exe Operational Catchment
The Creedy & West Exe catchment is west of the main River Exe. This catchment is mainly agricultural and rural in nature. Crediton and western Exeter are ...
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Exeter Population 2025
Exeter's 2025 population is now estimated at 136,353. In 2001, the population of Exeter was 107,430. Exeter has grown by 8,644 in the last year, which ...
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https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/populationestimates/bulletins/populationestimatesforenglandandwales/mid2024
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History of the Exe Bridges - Exeter Memories
Feb 6, 2023 · There have been five known, permanent bridges across the Exe since the middle ages. Some historians think there may have been a Roman, stone built bridge.
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Discover Topsham – East Devon's Riverside Retreat
Nestled on the banks of the River Exe, Topsham is a charming historic town in East Devon that perfectly blends maritime heritage with vibrant modern living.
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River Exe - Wikishire
Sep 7, 2018 · The Exe is a moorland river in Somerset, running between the hills of Exmoor and gathering brooks as it goes. At Exbridge the river enters Devon.Missing: geography | Show results with:geography
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Exe Viaduct - Roader's Digest: The SABRE Wiki
Mar 13, 2025 · The Exe Viaduct is a crossing of the River Exe in Devon on the M5. It is the nearest bridge to the sea.<|control11|><|separator|>
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Exe Sailing Club: Home
Latest news · Upcoming events · Duty Roster · Club location · Weather for Exmouth · Links · Contact details.
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Watersports in Exmouth
Jul 4, 2019 · Exmouth Watersports offer windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddleboarding and kayak lessons. They will also hire windsurf and kitesurf equipment.
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Top 10 watersports to enjoy in Exmouth, Devon - A Luxury Travel Blog
Nov 21, 2021 · Sailing Exe Sailing Club is an RYA-Accredited Training Centre ... Kayaking Kayaking is a great way to explore the Exe Estuary. There ...
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Exe Valley Way - Explore Devon
An additional 7.5miles/12km links Exford to Exe Head, the source of the River Exe, high upon the open moorland. Most of the routes follows beside the River Exe.
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Fishing - Fish The Exe - River Exe and Tributaries Association
To fish the lower river for salmon, trout and all coarse species you can join Exeter and District Angling Association here. Returning Salmon. RETA has a ...
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Fishing - Exmoor National Park
Note: Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels on Exmoor must have an Environment Agency rod licence. An owner's ...
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Exeter Port - A Historic Maritime Gateway in the UK
Exeter Port primarily handles various types of cargo, including bulk materials, agricultural products, and general freight. The port's infrastructure is ...Missing: irrigation lowlands
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East Devon abstraction licensing strategy - GOV.UK
Jun 23, 2022 · This abstraction licensing strategy (ALS) sets out how we manage new and existing abstraction and impoundments within the East Devon catchments.
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Exe Estuary and Farmlands - Planning - Devon County Council
Manage the agricultural land fringing the estuary, particularly mixed farming systems of value for bird life, encouraging local farmers to use the pastures ...Missing: Port cargo
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The River Exe Regatta | 6 to 20 July 2025
The Exe Regatta, 6th – 20th July 2025. Regatta Activities: Dinghy Racing, Beach Rescue and Lifesaving Cruiser Racing, Sea Fishing.Missing: annual quayside tours
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Exeter Quayside - Annual City of Exeter Regatta - Visit Exeter
Taking place on the river at Exeter Quayside, the Regatta is one of Exeter's oldest historic sporting events and a great free family day out!Missing: Exe | Show results with:Exe
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Exeter Red Coat Guided Tours
Red Coat Guided Tours overlooking Exeter's Historic Quayside ... The tour then continues to the river Exe and finishes on Exeter's Historic Quayside.
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Mid Devon council could power its offices with energy from River Exe
Oct 13, 2020 · The scheme is expected to result in renewable energy production of around 534000kWh per year with a peak power output of 150 kW.
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Trews Weir Hydro - Exeter Community Energy
River Dart Countrypark has a working Archimedean screw turbine and examples of community owned hydroelectric schemes include Settle Hydro (in North Yorkshire) ...
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DISCUSSION. FLOODING IN THE EXE VALLEY, 1960.
The more important of these were at Exeter, Exmouth, and. Tiverton, where in total some 3000 houses were flooded besides many factories and shops, and ...
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[PDF] Photographs of the River Exe and its flood channel as it flows ...
This EXEhibition focuses on the two mile stretch of the River Exe from just beyond St David's station to Trews Weir. This section of the river has been very ...<|separator|>
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Holocene fluvial geomorphology of the River Exe (UK) from ...
After serious floods in the 1960s (with peak discharges of up to 700 m3 s−1 at Exeter) spillways and weirs were constructed to double the capacity in the Exeter ...Missing: average | Show results with:average
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Flood Investigation Report River Exe Floods 12th – 14th January 2023
Jul 17, 2023 · On the 12th to 14th January 2023, significant flooding was experienced in Devon as a result of a prolonged and heavy period of rainfall.Missing: Valley | Show results with:Valley
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Storm Bert Floods, 24th November 2024 - Devon County Council
Jul 16, 2025 · This report covers the flooding incident during Storm Bert on 22 nd – 25th November 2024 and has identified all flooded properties within the County.
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Storm Bert plea to motorists to only travel if necessary | Devon Live
Nov 24, 2024 · ... flood waters as Storm Bert hits Devon with the river exe at full flow and busting it's banks nr Crediton on 24th November 2024. Photo: Phil ...
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Storm Eowyn 25-27th January 2025 - Flood Risk Management
Sep 11, 2025 · This report covers the flooding incident on 26 January 2025 and has identified all flooded properties within the County that we have been able ...Missing: Exe | Show results with:Exe
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Live updates as Storm Eowyn batters Devon with flooded roads and ...
Jan 24, 2025 · Storm Eowyn has arrived in Devon and has already caused chaos across the county. Multiple roads are flooded and trees have been blown down after strong winds ...
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Devon gearing up for Storm Éowyn - News
Jan 22, 2025 · Storm Éowyn is forecast to bring heavier rain and localised flooding is possible with widespread areas of the county due to see up to 25mm of rain and as much ...
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Exeter flood defence scheme - GOV.UK
Nov 2, 2022 · The Exeter flood defence scheme project will reduce flood risk to more than 3,000 homes and businesses in Exeter. The project is managed by ...Latest news · Phases 1 and 2 complete · Identifying the need for...Missing: barriers | Show results with:barriers
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River Exe level at Trews Weir - Check for flooding - GOV.UK
... to improve it. River Exe level at Trews Weir. Map(Visual only) · Upstream · Downstream · Nearby levels. Latest at 7:30am on 11 November. i. Height: 3.57m i.
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Enhanced flood warning service live for Exeter and Exe Estuary
Aug 4, 2025 · The comprehensive defence scheme includes 14 operational flood gates, demountable and temporary barriers, pumping systems, and defences managed ...
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/enhanced-flood-warning-service-live-for-exeter-and-exe-estuary
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Flooding in Exeter: How Prepared Are We? - Exeposé Online
Feb 14, 2024 · The Exeter Flood Defence Scheme aims to reduce flood risk to more than 3000 homes and businesses in the city. Temporary flood defences, however, ...
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[PDF] Exe Catchment Flood Management Plan - GOV.UK
Major. Incident Plans have been developed for specific areas of. Exeter and Tiverton. • Flood defence schemes – We have flood defences on the River. Exe ...
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Planning and Flood risk in Exeter
Jul 10, 2025 · Those properties most at risk in the city are located near the river and other watercourses, including parts of St Thomas, Exwick, St Davids, ...Missing: Exe low- lying
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The Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP)
The Partnership seeks to conserve and enhance the estuary's special nature and promote sustainable economic and social activity by supporting collaboration ...Missing: habitat | Show results with:habitat
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Exe Estuary - Ramsar Sites Information Service
The area is important for internationally important numbers of several species of wintering and passage waterbirds and functions as a refuge during severe ...
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Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
The Exe Estuary has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in recognition of its international importance for wintering wildfowl and ...
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Connecting the Culm: Home
The Connecting the Culm project is working with nature and local communities, to help make the River Culm and its catchment better for wildlife and people.Missing: reconnection 2023 Exe
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Climate Change and the River Culm - Westcountry Rivers Trust
The aims of Connecting the Culm are to make the River Culm and its floodplain more resilient to flood and drought, improve water quality, support biodiversity ...Missing: 2023 Exe
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Exe Estuary Management Plan
Managed realignment on the Otter Estuary to provide mitigation for loss of habitat on the Exe. Issues. Impact of flooding and coastal processes on the local ...