RIVER EXE

Question 1

how long is the river exe

Answer 1

82.7km long

Question 2

where is the river located

Answer 2

south-coast of Devon

Question 3

where is the source of the river

Answer 3

hills of Exmoor

Question 4

what towns/cities does the river flow through

Answer 4

Tiverton and Exeter, to the sea at Exmouth

Question 5

features of the river

Answer 5

it has an extensive network of tributaries and a high drainage density

Question 6

what is the size of the upper catchment

Answer 6

601km2

Question 7

what is the maximum elevation

Answer 7

514m is in the north

Question 8

what is the topography like in the south

Answer 8

the land is much flatter in the south – the lowest elevation = 26m

Question 9

what’s the geology like here

Answer 9

84.4% of the catchment is underlain by impermeable rocks – predominantly Devonian sandstones, accounting for the extensive drainage network

Question 10

how much of the land is being used for agricultural grassland?

Answer 10

67%

Question 11

how much of the land is woodland

Answer 11

15%

Question 12

where does arable farming take place

Answer 12

high grounds of exmoor

Question 13

what % of land do moors, peatbogs and arable farming account for

Answer 13

3

Question 14

when was the wimbleball reservoir built

Answer 14

1979

Question 15

what two rivers were dammed by this reservoir

Answer 15

the River Haddeo, and upland tributary of the River Exe

Question 16

what is the total surface area covered by the reservoir

Answer 16

150 hectares – approximately 150 football pitches

Question 17

where does the reservoir supply water to

Answer 17

exeter and all parts of east devon

Question 18

what does the reservoir do

Answer 18

regulates water flow, ensuring steady flow regime during the year

prevents peaks and troughs of water discharge that make flooding or droughts more likely

Question 19

why is there a need for the exmoor peatland restoration project

Answer 19

drainage ditches dug in peat bogs of Exmoor = farming
= increased the speed of water flow to the Exe, which reduces water quality as more silt is carried downstream

peat = dug as a fuel
peat dries = decomposition = releasing carbon from its store = CO2 and methane

Question 20

what does the exmoor mire project do

Answer 20

works to restore the peat bogs by blocking the drainage ditches with peat blocks or moorland bales.

= increases water content and returns the ground to the saturated, boggy conditions that would naturally occur in this moorland = conditions help to retain C stored within peat

Question 21

exmoor mires project

Answer 21

aims to restore 20,000ha of Exmoor to the boggy conditions that would naturally be present by blocking drainage ditches with peat blocks and moorland bales.

Question 22

benefits of the project

Answer 22

more water storage catchments – water transfer is slowed, increasing storage capacity and ensuring a steady supply of water throughout the year.

improved water quality – slower through flow means that less sediment is carried into the rivers. Water is cleaner, less expensive to treat and good for wildlife such as salmon.

more carbon storage – peat is essentially carbon and water and therefore an important carbon store. Dry peat releases carbon dioxide through oxidation. By encouraging the rewetting of peat and active peat growth, carbon dioxide is naturally absorbed from the atmosphere and stored.

Improved opportunities for education, leisure and recreation. Peatland habitats are very biodiverse, with many species of plants, birds, butterflies and insects.

Improved grazing and water supply for animals – animals benefit from having year round drinking water as well as improved grazing during the drier parts of the year.

Question 23

what happened in 2015

Answer 23

1000+ ha of peat moorland had been restored and nearly 100km of ditches blocked, raising the water table by 2.65cm

his has reduced the amount of water that drains by 2/3 in this area.

Question 24

what % of the land use is woodland/grassland

Answer 24

82%

Question 25

what type of rock is the catchment mainly underlain with

Answer 25

impermeable rock

Question 26

what drains the peat lands

Answer 26

extensive network of ditches

Question 27

where is wimble ball built

Answer 27

on an upland tributary of the river exe