| River Parrett |
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The Parrett is tidal up to Oath Lock. During winter, the Parrett is prone to frequent flooding. In common with the lower reaches of the River Severn , the Parrett exhibits a Tidal phenomenon known as the '' Bore ''. At certain combinations of the tides, the rising water is funnelled up the river into a wave that travels rapidly upstream against the River current. The bore is a natural example of a self-reinforcing solitary wave or Soliton . During January through to May, the Parrett provides a source of Eel s (''Anguilla anguilla'') and the young elvers, caught by hand netting - the only legal means of catching them. The 2003 BBC Radio 4 play '' Glass Eels '' by Nell Leyshon was set on a river in the Levels , very probably the Parrett. Historically, the main Port on the river was at Bridgwater , although by trans-shipping into barges at the town bridge it was navigable as far as Langport and (via the River Yeo ) to Ilchester . After 1827, it was also possible to transfer goods to Taunton via the Bridgwater And Taunton Canal . Nowadays, the wharf at Dunball is the only part of the Port of Bridgwater still handling bulk cargoes, mainly sand and gravel. TOURISM The River Parrett Trail {Link without Title} (47 miles/75km) Long-distance Footpath follows the Parrett from its source to the sea. The ''Langport & River Parrett Visitor Centre'' {Link without Title} located at Langport details local life, history and wildlife. PREDICTED BORE TIMINGS 2007 A tidal wave passes under the Town Bridge at Bridgwater approximately 1 hour 40 minutes before High Water . Meteorological factors may vary this time by up to 5 minutes either way. These are the predicted times for (near) spring tides in 2007 (approximately every fortnight - the largest bores should be seen at these times - up to October, data based on plaque at Town Bridge):- 16/6 0640-1858 18/7 0718-1933 31/7 0655-1914 1/8 0737-1955 31/8 0754-2014 28/9 0649-1909 27/10 0624-1846 9/11 0430-1647 - New moon 25/11 0507-1733 - Full moon + 1 10/12 0513-1732 - New moon + 1 25/12 0541-1812 - Full moon + 1 Remember, these are only the ''predicted'' bore times for the very highest high tides at Bridgwater. LINKED WATERWAYS
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