River Yeo (South Somerset)

The River Yeo, also known as the River Ivel,[1] is a tributary of the River Parrett in north Dorset and south Somerset, England.

River Yeo River Ivel
River Yeo in Ilchester
Etymology	Celtic river-name gifl 'forked river'. Old English ēa 'river'
Location
Country	England
Counties	Dorset, Somerset
Towns	Sherborne, Bradford Abbas, Yeovil, Mudford, Yeovilton, Ilchester
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Henstridge Bowden, South Somerset
• coordinates	50°58′55″N 2°26′26″W
Mouth	River Parrett
• location	Langport, South Somerset, Somerset, England
• coordinates	51°01′51″N 2°49′29″W
Length	15 mi (24 km)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Bearley Brook
• right	Trent Brook

The river's names derive from the Celtic river-name gifl 'forked river'. The name Yeo appears to have been influenced by Old English ēa 'river'.[2]

The river rises in the North Dorset Downs region. It flows through the town of Sherborne and Sherborne Lake in north Dorset, and the Somerset towns of Yeovil, Yeovilton and Ilchester, to which it gives its name, and joins the River Parrett near Langport. For a few miles east of Yeovil, it forms the county boundary between Somerset and Dorset.

The river is navigable for light craft for 8 miles (13 km) from the Parrett to Ilchester.[3]

The Yeo's tributaries include the River Gascoigne, which rises near Milborne Wick and joins the Yeo near Sherborne,[4] the River Wriggle, Trent Brook, Hornsey Brook, the River Cam and Bearley Brook.