River Dart facts for kids
The River Dart is a famous river in Devon, England. It starts high up on Dartmoor and flows all the way to the English Channel at Dartmouth. The river officially begins at a place called Dartmeet, where two smaller rivers, the East Dart and West Dart, join together.
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The River's Journey
The name 'Dart' might come from an old Celtic word. It probably means 'river where oak trees grow'. Even today, you can see many old oak trees along the lower parts of the river.
Bridges and Tides
Where the East and West Dart rivers begin, you can find special bridges called "clapper bridges." These are very old bridges made from huge flat stones placed on top of other stones in the river.
When the river reaches the town of Totnes, something interesting happens. The river becomes tidal here. This means the water level goes up and down with the ocean's tides. Because of the tides, there are no bridges over the river after Totnes.
The Estuary and Castles
The wide mouth of the River Dart, where it meets the sea, is called an estuary. It's also known as a 'ria', which is a coastal inlet formed by a river valley that has been flooded by the sea. This area is a great spot for sailing.
The entrance to the river from the sea is quite dramatic. There are tall cliffs on both sides. On the east side, you'll see Kingswear Castle built right by the water. On the west side, Dartmouth Castle stands on a rocky point at sea level.
Long ago, these two castles worked together to protect the harbour. They used to stretch a huge chain across the estuary at night. This chain was meant to stop enemy ships from getting into the harbour. You can still see parts of the old chain system at Dartmouth Castle today.
Dartmouth Harbour
The lower part of the River Dart forms Dartmouth Harbour. This is a natural harbour with deep water and a long history. It's still a busy place! You'll see local fishing boats and many different yachts and private boats here. Some local companies also build and repair smaller boats in the harbour.
Images for kids
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Dartmouth and Kingswear Castles guard the mouth of the River Dart
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The River Dart facing upstream at Totnes, with Totnes Bridge in the background
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Dartmouth Harbour, with Kingswear in the background, and river cruise boats alongside Dartmouth Town Jetty
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The weir at Totnes
