Kingsbridge Estuary facts for kids
The Kingsbridge Estuary is a beautiful and important waterway in the South Hams area of Devon, England. It stretches from the town of Kingsbridge in the north all the way to the English Channel near Salcombe. Sometimes people mistakenly call it the 'Salcombe Estuary', but its official name is Kingsbridge Estuary. This special place is found between two areas of land: Bolt Head and Sharpitor to the west, and Portlemouth Down to the east.
The estuary is about 8.6 kilometres (5.3 mi) long. It has many smaller water paths branching off it. Some of these smaller paths, called creeks, have their own names. These include Blanksmill, Frogmore, Southpool, Batson, and Bowcombe Creek. Bowcombe Creek is the one furthest north.
What is a Ria?
The Kingsbridge Estuary is not a typical estuary. It is actually an extreme example of something called a ria. A ria is a "drowned valley." This means it was once a river valley on dry land. After the last ice age, sea levels rose. This caused the ocean to flood the valley, creating the waterway we see today.
Because it's a ria, the Kingsbridge Estuary is much larger than you might expect. The small streams that flow into it are tiny compared to the size of the estuary itself. This is different from a true estuary, which is usually formed by a large river flowing into the sea.
Size and Features
The Kingsbridge Estuary covers a large area of about 674 hectares (which is like 1,665 football fields!). A big part of this area, about 446 hectares, is "inter-tidal." This means it's covered by water when the tide is high, and then exposed as mudflats or sand when the tide is low.
When the tide is high, the coastline along the ria stretches for about 48.6 kilometres (30.2 mi). Even though no big rivers flow into it, the total area where rainwater collects and drains into the estuary is huge. This "catchment area" is about 6,800 hectares.
Protecting This Special Place
The Kingsbridge Estuary is very important for nature. Because of its unique features and wildlife, it has several special protections:
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): In February 1987, the estuary was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's one of the best examples of a particular habitat or geological feature in the country. It is protected by law to keep its special natural qualities.
- Local Nature Reserve: It is also a Local Nature Reserve. This is an area that local councils protect for wildlife and for people to enjoy and learn about nature.
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB): The estuary is part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. An AONB is a special landscape whose beautiful scenery is protected for everyone to enjoy.
These protections help make sure the Kingsbridge Estuary remains a wonderful place for both wildlife and people to explore.
