UKC

Hello All,
Planning a 3 day excurson on Dartmoor next week, heading N-S or S-N between Okehampton and Ivybridge. Route crosses West Dart River on stepping stones at Gr SX 648737. Given the rain we've had over the past few weeks, and the wet condition of the Moor, does anyone know if it's feasible to actually cross here ? I have used this point 3 times in the past with varying degrees of comfort, but not sure what state the river is in at the moment. Anyone been there in the past couple/three days ?
Cheers
Paul

In reply to paul walters:
This weekend it was on the wet side of average for this time of year up there, but these rivers rise and fall really fast!!

I normally have more problems with the set of stones just to the South of that, below Sherberton Farm. They are often under water! The diversion over Hexworthy Bridge is not that long and is pretty easy.The mine track which heads to Hooten Wheels is nice walk up, or down depending on which way you are headed!

In reply to paul walters:

Hi Paul

I use the Environment agencies website for monitoring river levels in mid-wales, this site I've posted the link to is for Devon/Dartmoor so you could check before you leave you can get an idea of the river level's.

I'd guess you'd want to get a reading as close to the time you cross, not sure if the site works on mobile phone internet, you could test it in the place that has a WiFi spot or 3G/4G in a built up area before you get to the said crossing.

http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/120543.aspx

L

In reply to lone:

http://apps.environment-agency.gov.uk/river-and-sea-levels/120723.aspx?stat...

This is the nearest monitoring station on the West Dart, worth a look to see how the river responds to rainfall.

In reply to TMM:

Yes good resource. One thing to watch though is that their idea of flooding is possible at these high moor stations is pretty unhelpful.

I ran up to the East Dart Warterfall yesterday at dusk and it was a proper waterfall for a change! The actual measured height wasn't that unusual, but the crossing would have been foolish to say the least!!

Amazing to see just how fast the level response rate is though.

In reply to TMM:

Handy resource for definite, lets you plan a little better too, we cross a lot of rivers in Mid-wales, as you know at times they can be very tricky so I like to have a plan b in the pocket to get around.

This is a good site, http://www.martynhicks.uk/weather/topsites/

You can see live data coming from different weather stations across the UK, click on the link on the top of each station in the website, some I think are down though.

L