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River Parrett facts for kids

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River Parrett map
Map of the river shwing major tributaries

The River Parrett is a major river in Somerset and Dorset, England. It starts in the County of Dorset near Chedington. From here it flows in a northwesterly direction through the Somerset Levels to Bridgewater. It flows into the Bristol Channel close to Burnham-on-Sea. At the mouth of the river is Bridgewater Bay National Nature Reserve. The river is tidal for 18.6 miles (29.9 km) up to the hamlet of Oath, some 10 miles (16 km) south east of Bridgewater. The river has a very slight fall between Langport and Bridgwater, only 1 foot per mile, or 20 cm per km, and is prone to frequent flooding, in winter and high tides.

The River Parrett is 37 miles (60 km) long and its main tributaries include the Rivers Tone, Isle and Yeo. The River Cary drains into the Parrett via the King's Sedgemoor Drain. The River Parrett drains an area of over 1,690 square kilometres (650 sq mi), making up around 50% of the land area of Somerset.

Images for kids

  • River Parrett

    Aerial view of the mouth of the River Parrett as it flows into Bridgwater Bay

  • River flowing around a bend with a muddy bank on the left. Beyond the river are white concrete block buildings and multiple electricity pylons.

    The river near Pawlett showing Hinkley Point power stations A and B

  • Small water-filled ditch between grassy banks.

    The river near the A303 at South Petherton

  • Photograph from elevation of flooded river flowing between snow-covered fields. Hills in the distance.

    The flooded Southlake Moor in the winter of 1985

  • Metal bridge over the river. In the background are coloured houses and several trees.

    Bridgwater Town Bridge

  • A cargo boat moored at a wharf with cranes and others machines. To the right is a metal gate opening to the water which flows past the boat.

    Dunball Wharf. To the right is Dunball clyce where the King's Sedgemoor Drain flows into the River Parrett.

  • A stone three-arch bridge over water. On the bridge is a small blue lorry. Either side of the river is vegetation and to the right of the bridge houses.

    Great Bow Bridge at Langport

  • Two culverts opening into a river. In the background are industrial and residential stone buildings

    Parrett Ironworks from the Carey's Mill Bridge

  • A metal gantry between the road in the foreground and a river. To the right is a breeze block building with warning signs on it.

    Monk's Leaze clyce. This sluice regulates the flow of water between the River Parrett and the Sowy River (the River Parrett Relief Channel).

  • Metal gates surmounted by a gantry across the river. To the left is a weir.

    The sluice at Oath Lock in summer, with the gates lowered. Oath Lock cottage is off to the right.

  • Water on grassy lowland with hills in the distance.

    View from the summit of Burrow Mump across the winter-flooded Somerset levels toward Aller Hill and the village of Aller, Somerset.

  • Arched bridge with metal railing. Sign showing River Parrett, Burrow Bridge.

    1826 bridge at Burrowbridge

  • Muddy bank in the foreground before an expanse of water, with a concrete wall just visible on the right hand side of the water. In the distance is a line of low hills.

    Tidal mudflats at Combwich, near the mouth of the River Parrett on Bridgwater Bay

  • View from the rear of a seat made from 5 vertical rough-hewn planks of wood, with a person sitting on the seat and looking out over a wide river

    Seat, made in 1996, on the west bank of the Parrett Estuary, a mile from the village of Combwich

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River Parrett Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.