river exe

Question 1

where

Answer 1

flows 82.7km from its source in the hills of exmoor to the sea at exmouth, on the south coast of Devon

Question 2

structure

Answer 2

extensive network of tributaries and high drainage density

Question 3

max elevation

Answer 3

514m in the north. land is much flatter in the south, lowest elevation is 26m

Question 4

geology

Answer 4

84.4% of catchment is underlain by impermeable rock - extensive drainage network

Question 5

land use

Answer 5

67% agricultural grassland
15% woodland and arable farmland

Question 6

wimbleball reservoir

Answer 6

upland tributary of river exe was dammed to create wimbleball reservoir, approx size of a football pitch (150 ha)
Supplies water to Exeter and East Devon, regulates water flow and ensures steady flow regime - prevents peaks and droughts of water discharge that make flooding and drought more likely

Question 7

peatland restoration on exmoor

Answer 7

drainage ditches dug in peat bogs of exmoor as suitable for farming but speed of water reduces water quality as more silt is carried downstream.
peat has also been dug for fuel, meaning peat surface dries out, decomposition occurs and carbon is released in the form of co2 and methane - peat is important store

Question 8

exmoor mires project

Answer 8

works to restore peat bogs by blocking drainage ditches with peat blocks or moorland bales, which increases water content, restoring saturated boggy conditions of moorland environment
these conditions help to retain carbon stored in peat
other benefits include improved opportunity for education, leisure and recreation, biodiversity of peatland habitats (plants, birds, butterflies) and improved grazing and water supply from animals

by 2015, over 1000 ha of peat moorland had been restored, raising the water table by 2.65cm