River Isle

The River Isle (also known as the River Ile) flows from its source near Combe St Nicholas, through Somerset, England and discharges into the River Parrett south of Langport near Midelney.

River Isle
River Isle at Isle Brewers
Location
Country	England
County	Somerset
Region	Somerset Levels
Cities	Isle Brewers, Ilminster, Knowle St Giles, Chard, Somerset
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Combe St Nicholas, Somerset, England
• coordinates	50°55′10″N 2°56′23″W
Mouth	River Parrett
• location	Somerset, England
• coordinates	51°00′32″N 2°49′55″W
Length	14 mi (23 km)

Several small springs merge into the river near Wadeford it then flows north past Donyatt, Ilminster, Puckington, and Isle Abbotts, before joining the Parrett. The first section of the river falls 250 feet (76 m) in 6 miles (9.7 km) and then falls less steeply falling 80 feet (24 m) during the subsequent 8 miles (13 km).[1] As a result, several mills were built on the upper reaches of the river. At least one mill was in existence at the time of the Domesday Book. These mills were an important part of the local economy connecting with the wool trade.[2]

The road bridge over the river at Knowle St Giles is a Grade II listed building.[3]

A lock was built at the junction with the River Parrett, to maintain water levels, when the Westport Canal was built in the 1830s. The canal joins the river approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) before the confluence with the Parrett.[4]

Chard Reservoir was built by damming the river in the 1840s to provide water for the Chard Canal.[5]

References

1. "River Isle". Somerset Rivers. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
2. Warren, Derrick. "Mills of the Isle". Combe St Nicholas. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
3. "Road Bridge over River Isle". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
4. "River Isle". Somerset Rivers. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
5. "Chard Reservoir leaflet" (PDF). south Somerset Council. Retrieved 18 November 2010.