River Meavy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids River Meavy |
|
|---|---|
View down the River Meavy towards Sharpitor and Leather Tor
|
|
Catchment and course of the River Meavy
|
|
 Location within Devon
|
|
| Country | England |
| Counties | Devon |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Meavy Head |
| River mouth | River Plym Devon 50°27′17″N 4°04′05″W / 50.4546°N 4.0681°W |
| Length | 15.9 km (9.9 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 42.2 km2 (16.3 sq mi) |
The River Meavy is a river located in the southwest part of Dartmoor in Devon, England. It flows entirely within the Dartmoor National Park. The river connects Burrator Reservoir to the River Plym.
Contents
River Meavy's Journey
The River Meavy is about 15.9 kilometres (9.9 mi) (nearly 10 miles) long. It generally flows towards the southwest. The river starts at a place called Meavy Head, which is near Princetown.
From its source, the river flows across Walkhampton Common. It then goes through areas with trees, like Norsworthy and other plantations. Finally, it flows into Burrator Reservoir.
After leaving the reservoir at its main dam, the river continues its journey. It flows past the village of Meavy. The River Meavy then joins the River Plym at the top end of Bickleigh Vale. The entire river is located inside Dartmoor National Park.
Surroundings of the River
The southern part of the river's valley is mostly covered with trees. This area is known as an ancient woodland. An ancient woodland is a forest that has been around for a very long time.
The northern part of the river, beyond Burrator Reservoir, has fewer trees. This is because it is closer to the center of Dartmoor. In this area, you can see several rock formations called tors near the river.
History of the River Meavy
People believe the name "Meavy" comes from an Old English word. This word means "lively stream." The village of Meavy was later named after the river itself.
In the 16th century, a water channel called Drake's Leat was built. Its purpose was to carry drinking water from the River Meavy. This water was then transported towards the city of Plymouth.
Burrator Lodge was built in 1896. It was made for the owner of the reservoir. Today, it is a Grade II listed building. This means it is a historically important building. In 2015, the property was put up for sale.
Fun Activities on the River
The River Meavy is a popular spot for canoeing. This is especially true for the section south of Burrator Reservoir. It is considered an easier route compared to the upper parts of the River Plym. The upper River Plym has some of the most challenging canoeing routes in Dartmoor.
Even though there is a dam at Burrator, the river usually has enough water flowing for canoeing. This makes it a great place for water sports.
