More on Exmoor's Rivers

Exmoor rivers are spate rivers, which react rapidly to rainfall and do not maintain an even flow. The flow of the Barle within the National Park is generally greater than that of the Exe and the Barle could thus be considered to be Exmoor’s main river. The greatest recorded flow, however, was for the combined Lyn rivers at Lynmouth during the flood of August 1952, which equalled four times the average flow of the Thames.

In general, the main ridge of Exmoor, running from Challacombe Common in the west, over Dunkery to the Brendon Hills in the east, divides rivers flowing south to the English Channel from those flowing north to the Bristol Channel. Exmoor has a large number of what are known as 'first order' streams, meeting no tributaries before they plunge to the Bristol Channel.