King's Sedgemoor facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 51°05′35″N 2°51′29″W / 51.09316°N 2.85815°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 822 hectares (8.22 km2; 3.17 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1985 |
King's Sedgemoor is a special area in South West England. It's part of the Somerset Levels and Moors. This place is important for both farming and for many different animals and plants.
Contents
What is King's Sedgemoor?
King's Sedgemoor is a large area of land. It's known for its rich soil and unique wildlife. This area is mostly flat and was once a huge wetland. Over time, people have worked to manage the water here.
A Special Place for Nature
King's Sedgemoor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's officially protected because of its important nature. It's a great spot for studying plants and animals. The area is a large peat basin. Peat is a type of soil made from old, decayed plants.
Where is King's Sedgemoor Located?
This special area lies between the Sowy_River to the west. To the east, you'll find Cradle Bridge. It also stretches south over Beer Wall into part of Aller Moor. It is also very close to another protected area called Greylake SSSI.
Managing the Water
Because King's Sedgemoor is a low-lying area, managing water is very important. For hundreds of years, people have built drains and pumps. This helps to keep the land from flooding. It also makes it good for farming.
The King's Sedgemoor Drain
The King's Sedgemoor Drain was first built a long time ago. It was made in 1797 and 1798. This drain was meant to help remove water from the land. However, it wasn't always enough.
Improving Drainage Over Time
Later, in 1861, more work was done. A small pumping station was built on the River Parrett. This station is in Westonzoyland parish. Its job was to pump water away from the moors near the village of Chedzoy. This helped to keep the land drier.
