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Drought’s devastating affects
July was the driest since 1935 according to the Met Office, with record temperatures of more than 40ºC being widely reported. Only around 6mm of rain fell, against a monthly average of 42mm
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Here in North Devon this has led to streams, springs and bore holes drying up. The River Taw at Umberleigh is reported to be at its lowest on record, Atlantic Salmon are now at risk of local extinction on both the Taw and Torridge. Wimbleball and other reservoirs have dropped to 50% of their capacity.
The Environment Agency visited a tributory of the Crooked Oak that dried up at Avercombe, Bishops Nympton, after being alerted by village resident Karen Wilkie. It didn’t run dry in the last drought in 1995. “It’s tragic for all the wildlife along the length of the dried up section,” said Karen, who found a dead eel in the stream bed.
The dried up stream at Bishops Nympton, and inset a dead eel found - photos Karen Wilkie
Landlord Steve Cotten reported being temporarily without water at the Poltimore Arms at Yarde Down as springs on Exmoor dried up, with locals stepping in to help out.
“With very little rainfall over the past three months, river flows in the area are low, some are exceptionally low. Groundwater levels are also falling. The Environment Agency is working with private abstractors and South West Water to manage abstraction, and where necessary we are asking that the amount of water taken is reduced,” said a spokesperson for the Environment Agency.
South West Water says levels at some reservoirs are lower than the previous drought year in 1995, and has brought in restrictions in parts of Devon so far.
If you see something wrong in a river or watercourse, call the Environment Agency 24 hour hotline: 0800 807060
