Peart Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peart Water |
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Countryside east of Hawkridge Reservoir looking down the Peart Water valley
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 Location in Somerset
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| Country | England |
| County | Somerset |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | 280 metres (920 ft) 51°06′20″N 3°10′54″W / 51.105579°N 3.181630°W |
| River mouth | Cannington Brook 35 metres (115 ft) 51°08′27″N 3°05′25″W / 51.140777°N 3.090195°W |
The Peart Water is a small river, or stream, in Somerset, England. It's about 5 miles (8 kilometers) long. This stream starts in the Quantock Hills and flows towards the northeast. Along its journey, the Peart Water helps fill two important reservoirs. It also used to power old mills, showing how rivers were once used for energy.
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Where Peart Water Flows
The Peart Water begins its journey in the Quantock Hills. This area is known for its beautiful natural scenery. The stream starts on Middle Hill, high up at about 280 meters (919 feet) above sea level.
Journey to Reservoirs
From its source, the Peart Water flows northeast for about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers). It reaches the Hawkridge Reservoir, which was built in the early 1960s. This reservoir helps supply water to the nearby town of Bridgwater. The Hawkridge Reservoir covers about 32 acres (13 hectares).
After leaving the Hawkridge Reservoir, the Peart Water continues flowing northeast. It travels about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) to another reservoir called the Ashford Reservoir near Spaxton. The Ashford Reservoir sits at about 35 meters (115 feet) above sea level.
Joining Other Streams
Once the Peart Water leaves the Ashford Reservoir, it flows a bit further. About 5 miles (8 kilometers) from where it started, it meets another stream called Currypool. When these two streams join, they form a larger stream known as the Cannington Brook.
How Peart Water is Used
The Peart Water and its reservoirs have been used for different purposes over time.
Fish Farming
The Hawkridge Reservoir is a popular spot for fishing. It is regularly stocked with trout, making it a great place for anglers. In the past, there was a fish farm near the Hawkridge Reservoir. This farm used the Peart Water to help raise fish.
Powering Mills
For many years, the Peart Water was used to power local mills. These mills used the force of the flowing water to turn machinery.
- Currypool Mill: This mill was located west of Ashford Reservoir. A special channel, called a leat, brought water from the Peart Water to the mill. It originally used a large water wheel. In 1934, the water wheel was replaced with a modern machine called a Francis turbine. This turbine was still being used in 1976 to power a saw bench, which cuts wood.
- Twinhill Mill: The stream also powered the Twinhill Mill in Spaxton. This shows how important the Peart Water was for local industries in the past.
