River Culm

The River Culm is not strictly speaking a flat water river, nor does it have undisputed access throughout the year. Despite this it is included in this guide because it presents very few serious challenges to most flat water paddlers and because it has been canoed fairly frequently in the summer months without known confrontation. However, the well publicised improvement in water quality and fish stocks may lead to canoeing becoming very unpopular in the summer months. The game fishing season on the river is February 14th to September 30th.

The river rises on Widicombe Moor and flows south west to eventually join the River Exe at Stoke Canon. Over its whole length the river flows quite fast, but it needs a good volume of water since shallow rapids of gravel or larger stones often occur. At many points, the river divides and braids and it is often difficult to determine which is the major channel. Overhanging bushes and fallen trees are more common and as the river tends to meander there are huge bends with steep often vertical banks. The river has been extensively managed to provide water and water power and there are many weirs varying in height between 0.5 metres and 2 metres.

ACCESS AND EGRESS:
The river has been canoed from upstream of CULMSTOCK, one possible starting point being the bridge at WHITEHALL (GR ST119138), but the best starting point is at CULLOMPTON where two branches of the river rejoin. Easy access can be gained by a concrete ramp at the extrance to a small industrial estate opposite the old Cullompton Railway Station, near junction 28 of the M5 Motorway, (GR ST026078). If there is enough water under the long motorway bridge there will be enough water for the whole journey. Below the motorway bridge the two streams rejoin and about one mile further on is a small gauging weir. Further downstream where the railway and the M5 cross beware of a system of metal gates on the downstream side, located to catch some of the rubbish and debris which the river carries.

At HELE there is a paper mill which uses the river for power. Straight ahead the river vanishes into the building whilst to the left a 2 metre sloping weir drops under the building which is raised on concrete columns over the river. This weir is best taken at the far end, angled slightly left so that you can pull away from the columns if they threaten. There is plenty of height and no chance of hitting the ceiling with a paddle. Below the road bridge, the river divides at a sort of sluice gate with the main flow pouring over an exciting bouncy 0.5 metre drop. Immediately downstream an exit on the right hand bank to the mill car park is possible. Further downstream is a low footbridge which might require a portage. Some huge meanders follow and deep water heralds the approach of another weir. The 2 metre sloping weir presents no real problems, however once on the lower level, around a slight bend the whole river flows quickly into a huge black hole under the SILVERTON paper mill. The whole atmosphere is satanic and threatening although if approached the mill workers allege that it is perfectly possible to pass directly under the mill. However, a portage around the mill, through the grounds would appear to be by far the best policy. Parking is possible around here and it would make a good spot to finish.

The river now skirts around KILLERTON PARK and high up in the bank-side trees is strong evidence to the height that the water reaches with the material made at the nearby paper mill. The river now begins to braid again with fallen trees and heavy growths of weeds choking progress. At STOKE CANON it is possible to exit just after the bridge carrying the A396 Tiverton to Exeter road. The river continues over a boulder weir skirting the Stoke Canon Mill and works before eventually emerging through more trees to join the River Exe about one mile upstream of Four Pines Weir and Cowley Steps. The Exe is the subject of a rigidly enforced access agreement so please do not continue onto this river without first gaining permission from the local access officer.

A more comprehensive guide was published in Canoeist magazine, February 1989