The Tone rises in the Brendon Hills and flows for 33km before joining the River Parrett at Burrowbridge. The catchment also includes the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, Clatworthy Reservoir and Somerset levels.
Work to make improvements to floodbanks along the river is due to start in 2001 at a cost of around £3.6 million. The scheme involves inproving Stanmoor Bank and Baltmoor Wall near East Lyng.
Baltmoor Wall will be strengthened using a number of different techniques along its length The Works at Stanmoor will involve strengthening and raising the bank using either steel sheet piling or an earth bank. Baltmoor wall protects over 60 properties and Stanmoor Bank protects over 130 homes and farms from flooding, many of which are built along the bank itself and are some of the most vulnerable to flooding on the Somerset Levels.
Baltmoor Wall was originally built by the Abbots of Athelney between 1154 and 1375 to reclaim land at North Moor and Saltmoor for farming. This mediaeval causeway linked East Lyng to the Abbey of Athelney. Investigations carried out show that the bank overlays a thick layer of clay that may represent an earlier bank. Under the clay was a peat deposit over a burnt layer; this may represent either industrial activity or clearance of marsh vegetation for farming. Whilst the embankment dates back to mediaeval times the stone cladding was added between 1880 and 1883.
The river has been canoed from WELLINGTON but it is a fly-fishing river down to TAUNTON. Negotiations are in hand for improved access but at present there is open access from FRENCH WEIR (ST221249) to FIREPOOL (ST231253), which covers about one mile through Taunton. From FIREPOOL to STANMOOR BRIDGE (ST357302) is about 12 miles, but there are some conflicts with an angling club on this section.
The Tone joins the River PARRETT at BURROWBRIDGE (358304), with a distinct tidal effect from here upstream to HOOK BRIDGE (337278). This sometimes gives beginners a strenuous upstream paddle.
At TAUNTON, FRENCH WEIR (220247) can be shot on the right. This is a former slalom site where novice events were held each year.
FIREPOOL WEIR (230253) MUST be inspected since it can only be shot in moderate conditions. At high water levels, the tow-back is immense, VERY dangerous and the portage is via the right bank. On the left it is possible to portage past FIREPOOL LOCK and into the TAUNTON - BRIDGEWATER Canal. The river runs through the outskirts of TAUNTON to BATHPOOL BRIDGE (250257), here is a shootable weir. There are also at intervals, fish control booms and the river is fairly narrow. Just past the old CHARD canal aquaduct the river forks around an island. Either route can be taken but if a portage into the TAUNTON- BRIDGEWATER Canal is envisaged (some 400 metres) it is best to go right and land at the road bridge at 274252.
The weir at HAM (287252) is not usually shot - it is semi-circular and can be usually portaged past the fish steps on the left or down the face. 300 metres downstream there is an old ford on which laden canoes may bottom. From here to NEW BRIDGE 316269 the banks are high and views restricted. On this stretch ramblers and bird watchers use the riverside paths.
At NEW BRIDGE there is a sluice at the ultimate tidal limit. If the gates are closed, portage right and take care crossing the road. The apparently open sluice on the left has iron stakes protruding from each side and there are concrete walls across the downstream end just under water forming a sort of box. This passage needs careful inspection from both sides of the bridge.
From NEWBRIDGE to BURROWBRIDGE there are high banks but the Pumping Station just short of the Railway bridge has interesting old machinery and the junction with the PARRETT is dominated by the BURROW MUMP with its old chapel, locally called King Alfred's chapel.
ACCESS.
There is no formal access agreement
but fishing clubs are tolerant of canoeists.
GREENBANK TERRACE Slipway
(225246).Public Car park, toilets.
TANGIER Scout Centre (223246). Very
limited parking.
CREECH ST MICHAEL (274252), Use canal car park, which is
signed.
HAM WEIR (287252) Launching and landing only. Roadside parking.
NEW BRIDGE (316269) Parking for up to six cars.