River Dart
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| River Dart | |
|---|---|
 The River Dart
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| Country | England |
| County | Devon |
| Discharge at | Austins Bridge, Buckfastleigh |
| - average | 11.04 m³/s (390 cu ft/s) |
| - maximum | 40 m³/s (1,413 cu ft/s) |
| Primary source | West Dart |
| - location | Lower White Tor |
| - elevation | 450 m (1,476 ft) |
| Other source | East Dart |
| - location | Kit Rock, Whinney's Down |
| - elevation | 510 m (1,673 ft) |
| Source confluence | |
| - location | Dartmeet |
| - elevation | 210 m (689 ft) |
| Mouth | English Channel |
| - coordinates | |
| - elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
The River Dart is a river in Devon, England which rises high on Dartmoor, and releases to the sea at Dartmouth. Its valley and surrounding area is respected as a place of great natural beauty.
Contents |
[edit] Watercourse
The river begins as two separate branches (the East Dart and West Dart), which join at Dartmeet. The paths along these rivers offer very attractive walking, and there are several small waterfalls. The rivers are crossed by a number of clapper bridges, notably at the hamlet of Postbridge.
After leaving the moor, the Dart flows southwards past Buckfast Abbey and through the towns of Buckfastleigh, Dartington and Totnes. At Totnes, where there is a seventeenth century weir (rebuilt in the 1960s)[citation needed], it becomes tidal, and there are no bridges below the town. A passenger ferry operates between the villages of Dittisham and Greenway, the latter being the location of Greenway Estate, formerly the home of the late crime writer Agatha Christie, which has stunning views across the river. The house and gardens are now owned by the National Trust and are open to the public.
The Dart estuary is a large ria and is popular for sailing. The village of Kingswear and town of Dartmouth are on the east and west sides of the estuary, and are linked by two vehicle ferries and a passenger ferry. The deep water port of Dartmouth is a sheltered haven.
The entrance to the river from the sea is a rocky entrance with cliffs either side. On the East side Kingswear Castle sits very close to the water's edge, and on the west side Dartmouth Castle is built on a rocky promontory at sea level. The castles once operated a defensive chain across the estuary, which was raised at dusk to destroy enemy ships attempting to attack the harbour. The remains of the operating machanisms for the chain are still visible in Dartmouth castle.
The river takes its name from a Celtic[vague][citation needed] word meaning 'many oaks'[citation needed] due to the banks of the lower Dart being covered in ancient woods of native oak[citation needed].
[edit] Literature and Folklore
The River Dart is the source of much folklore on Dartmoor, where it is traditionally respected and feared - the waters have a tendency to rise without notice following heavy rainfall on the moors above, adding to the dangers of its rapids and powerful currents. This gave rise to the couplet:
- "River of Dart, Oh River of Dart!
- Every year thou claimest a heart."
The 1951 non-fiction book The River Dart by Ruth Manning-Sanders centres on the river and its history.
[edit] Angling
Angling is very popular in the Dart Valley. The West Dart is notable ground for salmon spawning redds.
[edit] Kayaking and Canoeing
Dartmoor, and particularly the River Dart is notable as a focal point for whitewater kayakers and canoeists. It is recognised as one of the most popular natural whitewater rivers in England by quantity of people as well as quality of water features.
The three most renown sections are:
- Upper Dart from Dartmeet to Newbridge (Grade 4, advanced run).
- The Loop from Newbridge to Holne Bridge (Grade 2/3, beginner/intermediate run).
- The Lower from Holne Bridge to Buckfastleigh (Grade 2, beginner section).
Buckfastleigh to sea is also regularly paddled, as a non-whitewater section.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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