The Course of the River
Sidbury
Sidford
The river passes under the A3052 at Sidford where, of course, the crossing was once a ford. The terrain here is fairly level and so the river slows down and shingle deposits start to build and the river is fairly shallow. Alders line the banks here and the bank side vegetation is influenced here by the agriculturally improved pasture on either side. A footpath runs along the eastern bank of the river for a short way here.
Fortescue
After Sidford the river is less accessible for a stretch and then reappears at Fortescue where there is a footbridge carrying a footpath from the upper Byes path across to the hamlet of Fortescue. The river continues to be relatively slow moving to the north of the bridge and so here, too, shingle deposits build. After the bridge the flow rate starts to increase.
Riverside Wood
Just after the bridge in Fortescue to river flows through a strip of woodland to the east of Gilchrist Field and Margaret's Meadow and the woodland (for the purposes of the Sidmouth Nature project this has be named as 'Riverside Wood' to enable identification of species records from this area to be segregated from the neighbouring sites). The wooded area has a fairly open canopy allowing many flowers to flourish along the bank. The faster flow also means this is often a favourable site for seeing dippers.
The Byes
After emerging from the wooded area the river bends to start its final descent to the sea passing through the Byes, a favoured parkland walk with various ornamental trees and open amenity grass. The popularity of this area means the river environment is subject to considerable disturbance, especially from dogs, and so little animal life is to be seen here but it remains a pleasant afternoon stroll for many families.
School Weir
The river flow through the Byes is, once again, quite slow as the flow is reduced by the presence of the School Weir which is located at the southern end of the Byes. This weir, at over six feet high, presents a major obstacle to fish species, especially salmon and sea trout, who once used to breed in the upper reaches of the river.
Lower Sid
After School Weir the river passes under Salcombe Road and enters the phase where its course has been straightened and the banks fortified to protect the town of Sidmouth from flooding. The water here is much deeper as a further weir controls the flow and water levels. From this point the river is actually little more than an open drain! A sediment bank on the east side just past the ford has become colonised by various waterside plants and is always worth a look.
River Mouth
A little further downstream the river meets the sea where it is engaged in a constant battle! At high tide and waves bring shingle in and creates a barrier across the river's path and then, at low tide, the river starts to erode the bank and force its exit into the sea. The view here changes everyday as this continual movement of shingle and gravel inwards and outwards proceeds unabated, day after day. The area just behind the shingle is popular with the gulls as they need fresh water to drink and to wash salt from their feathers.