Synopsis: A walk along the River Exe in Exeter on day following an extended period of heavy rains. The force of nature clearly visible from the torrents of water gushing over the numerous weirs.
There had been several days of heavy rains and floods were predicted across much of England. In the South West on this day, the BBC News web site was reporting Three Devon rivers on flood warnings, those being the Culm, Exe and Clyst. Properties in the St Thomas area of Exeter were on high alert.
I know the River Exe can take on a dramatically different character when flood conditions are as they were today, so I thought I’d take a walk down to the river. The day was sunny and warm, something of a rarity in the weeks preceding today. I walked across Ludwell Valley Park and picked up my trail from a point near to the Exeter Crematorium and walked up river from there.
River Exe in high flood - Salmonpool Weir
There was a lot of water flowing in the flood channel near the Salmonpool Weir (as seen in this photo) indicating that the Flood Relief Scheme had come into effect and was diverting a considerable amount of water away from the main river channel. The Salmonpool Weir itself was almost lost to the flow of the water in the river, as can be clearly seen in my video (see below).
River Exe in high flood - The Quay
At the quay, the water was lapping at the curb stones making it easy for the swans to wander onto the quay and take a nibble at the grass. Sadly, just down river from where this photo was taken, the rise in water level had resulted in a swan’s nest being swamped by the floods. Considerable effort lost and much for these forlorn swans to do for them to have any chance of brooding this season.
River Exe in high flood - The Quay
I stopped briefly to take a look at the old Exe Bridge on my way towards Blackaller Weir. It was interesting to see water lying under this old bridge, hinting at how the bridge would have once looked when the river flowed through its arches.
River Exe in high flood - Blackaller Weir and Mill on the Exe pub
At Blackaller Weir, by the Mill on the Exe, the true force of the rapidly flowing waters was most evident. The sound the water made as it flowed over the weir was quite deafening. A number of passersby stopped to look at the impressive spectacle of the force of nature.
I’ve produced this panoramic view of Blackaller Weir and The Mill on the Exe, an image created from numerous photographs stitched together using computer software.
River Exe in high flood - Blackaller Weir and Mill on the Exe pub
In some respects photographs fail to convey the true force of the elements at work on a day like this. Knowing that, I decided to shoot some video on my digital SLR, which although not ideal for video, is capable of reasonable results if not pushed too hard. Please find below the video shot on this day’s walk.
Large screen: Standard Def -:- High Def
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