River Parrett has just achieved GA status. It is the largest river in Somerset at 37 miles (59.5 km). It drains an area of over 652.5 sq mi (1,690.0 km2), comprising around 50% of the land area of
Somerset.—
Rodtalk 19:05, 1 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Comment - How long are the other rivers in Somerset? This may be the longest, but you need to convince me that this river is substantially the most notable -
rst20xx (
talk) 23:10, 1 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Expansion - I had hoped that saying it drains over 50% of the land area of the county would be enough but to add a little more:
The main tributaries include the Rivers
Tone (length (approx) 21 miles (34 km)),
Isle (8 miles (13 km)) and
River Yeo (South Somerset) (15 miles (24 km)). The
Cary (8 miles (13 km)) drains into the Parrett via the
King's Sedgemoor Drain (artificial) (10.5 miles (17 km)).
The other significant rivers in Somerset which are not tributaries include:
Axe (15 miles (24 km)),
Barle (7 miles (11 km)),
Brue (30 miles (48 km)),
Chew (17 miles (27 km)),
Frome (20 miles (32 km)),
Holford (4.5 miles (7 km)),
Huntspill (artificial) (5 miles (8 km)),
Sheppey (7 miles (11 km)) and
Congresbury Yeo (15 miles (24 km)). I have not included rivers, streams & brooks less than (4 miles (6 km)) in length.
The rivers
Exe (50 miles (80 km)) and
Avon (75 miles (121 km)) form parts of the borders of the county but do not flow in it for much of their course.
The Parrett is tidal for 27 miles (43 km) and exhibits a
tidal bore.
The River Parrett was established as the border between
Wessex and
Dumnonia in 658 AD
The name means 'The barge river' from the Latin paradie 'barse'.
Historically, the main
port on the river was at
Bridgwater; the river being bridged at this point, with the first bridge being constructed in 1200 AD.
Most commercial shipping travels upriver as far as
Dunball wharf, which handles bulk cargoes. Marine sand and gravel accounted for 55,754 tonnes of the total tonnage of 90,213 using the Port facilities in 2006, with salt products accounting for 21,170 tonnes in the same year, while the roll-on roll-off berth at Combwich is used occasionally for the transfer of heavy goods for the two
Hinkley Point nuclear power stations.
The river is technically a highland carrier, as it is embanked and the water level is often higher than that of the land through which it flows. Water from the surrounding countryside does not therefore drain into the river naturally, and drainage schemes have relied on pumping to remove the water and reduce flooding. The pumping station at
Westonzoyland was built in 1830, the first
mechanical pumping station on the
Somerset Levels.
During January through to May, the Parrett provides a source of
eels (Anguilla anguilla) and young elvers.
I hope this provides enough explanatiojn of why it is the biggest & most significant river but if you want more let me know.—
Rodtalk 09:59, 2 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Support - OK thanks, I only wanted the river lengths! :P
rst20xx (
talk) 11:57, 2 February 2009 (UTC)reply
River Parrett has just achieved GA status. It is the largest river in Somerset at 37 miles (59.5 km). It drains an area of over 652.5 sq mi (1,690.0 km2), comprising around 50% of the land area of
Somerset.—
Rodtalk 19:05, 1 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Comment - How long are the other rivers in Somerset? This may be the longest, but you need to convince me that this river is substantially the most notable -
rst20xx (
talk) 23:10, 1 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Expansion - I had hoped that saying it drains over 50% of the land area of the county would be enough but to add a little more:
The main tributaries include the Rivers
Tone (length (approx) 21 miles (34 km)),
Isle (8 miles (13 km)) and
River Yeo (South Somerset) (15 miles (24 km)). The
Cary (8 miles (13 km)) drains into the Parrett via the
King's Sedgemoor Drain (artificial) (10.5 miles (17 km)).
The other significant rivers in Somerset which are not tributaries include:
Axe (15 miles (24 km)),
Barle (7 miles (11 km)),
Brue (30 miles (48 km)),
Chew (17 miles (27 km)),
Frome (20 miles (32 km)),
Holford (4.5 miles (7 km)),
Huntspill (artificial) (5 miles (8 km)),
Sheppey (7 miles (11 km)) and
Congresbury Yeo (15 miles (24 km)). I have not included rivers, streams & brooks less than (4 miles (6 km)) in length.
The rivers
Exe (50 miles (80 km)) and
Avon (75 miles (121 km)) form parts of the borders of the county but do not flow in it for much of their course.
The Parrett is tidal for 27 miles (43 km) and exhibits a
tidal bore.
The River Parrett was established as the border between
Wessex and
Dumnonia in 658 AD
The name means 'The barge river' from the Latin paradie 'barse'.
Historically, the main
port on the river was at
Bridgwater; the river being bridged at this point, with the first bridge being constructed in 1200 AD.
Most commercial shipping travels upriver as far as
Dunball wharf, which handles bulk cargoes. Marine sand and gravel accounted for 55,754 tonnes of the total tonnage of 90,213 using the Port facilities in 2006, with salt products accounting for 21,170 tonnes in the same year, while the roll-on roll-off berth at Combwich is used occasionally for the transfer of heavy goods for the two
Hinkley Point nuclear power stations.
The river is technically a highland carrier, as it is embanked and the water level is often higher than that of the land through which it flows. Water from the surrounding countryside does not therefore drain into the river naturally, and drainage schemes have relied on pumping to remove the water and reduce flooding. The pumping station at
Westonzoyland was built in 1830, the first
mechanical pumping station on the
Somerset Levels.
During January through to May, the Parrett provides a source of
eels (Anguilla anguilla) and young elvers.
I hope this provides enough explanatiojn of why it is the biggest & most significant river but if you want more let me know.—
Rodtalk 09:59, 2 February 2009 (UTC)reply
Support - OK thanks, I only wanted the river lengths! :P
rst20xx (
talk) 11:57, 2 February 2009 (UTC)reply