East Lyn River

The East Lyn is a river which rises high in Exmoor, in the English county of Somerset. It flows through the East Lyn Valley in Devon.

East Lyn River
Location
CountryEngland
CountyDevon
Physical characteristics
SourceEast Lyn (Upper)
 • locationMalmsmead
 • coordinates51°13′05″N 3°43′43″W
 • elevation230 m (750 ft)
Source confluence 
 • locationWatersmeet House
 • coordinates51°13′19″N 3°47′55″W
 • elevation150 m (490 ft)
MouthLynmouth
 • location
Devon, England
 • coordinates
51°13′53″N 3°49′48″W
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
The gorge section
Grade 3 rapids after the gorge
East Lyn at Lynmouth

Watercourse

The river is formed as the Upper East Lyn at Malmsmead from two minor tributaries, the Oare Water and Badgworthy Water. It flows for several miles, past Brendon and makes confluence with Hoar Oak Water at Watersmeet, where Watersmeet House is situated.[1] The river then passes through a narrow gorge section, before flowing downstream for a further 2.5 miles (4.0 km) until the river meets with the West Lyn River and flows into the Bristol Channel at Lynmouth.[2]

History

The Lynmouth Disaster occurred on the East Lyn river[3] due to rocks and fallen trees having been washed into the West Lyn river. These formed a log jam near Watersmeet, forming a landslide dam. When the pressure behind the dam increased to uncontrollable levels, the water broke out of the dam, and rushed down the East Lyn (via the convergence of the rivers) into Lynmouth, obliterating houses and ultimately resulting in 34 deaths. Boulders from the incident can still be seen today along the banks of the East Lyn towards Lynmouth.

Recreation

Angling

Angling interests especially in the summer are targeted towards the salmon which migrate up the river to spawn. There is also trout fishing.[4]

Walking

It is popular for walkers with the Two Moors Way near to much of the river.

Whitewater kayaking

Whitewater kayakers frequently run this river in the winter when seeking a challenging Grade 4 paddle.[5]

References
  1. "Watersmeet". National Trust. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  2. "River East Lyn". Somerset Rivers. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  3. "The 1952 Flood Disaster in Context". Exmoor National Park. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  4. "The East Lyn". Fishing the West. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  5. "River East Lyn - Brendon to Watersmeet". UK Rivers Guidebook. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
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