View source for East Lyn River

[[File:EastLynGorge.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The gorge section of the East Lyn]]
[[File:LowerEastLynRiver.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Grade 3 rapids after the gorge]]
{{county|Somerset}}
The '''East Lyn''' is a river which rises high in [[Exmoor]] in [[Somerset]] and which flows down through the [[East Lyn Valley]] in [[Devon]].  It joins the [[West Lyn River]] to enter the sea at [[Lynmouth]].

==History==
The Lynmouth Disaster of 1952 occurred on the East Lyn River<ref>{{cite web|title=The 1952 Flood Disaster in Context|url=http://www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/environment/climate-and-weather/lynmouth-flood-1952|publisher=Exmoor National Park|accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> due to rocks and fallen trees having been washed into the West Lyn river. These formed a log-jam near Watersmeet, forming a landslide dam. When the pressure behind the dam increased to uncontrollable levels, the water broke out of the dam, and rushed down the East Lyn (by way of the convergence of the rivers) into Lynmouth, obliterating houses and ultimately resulting in 34 deaths. Boulders from the incident can still be seen today, lining the banks of the East Lyn as it travels into Lynmouth today.

[[File:lynmouth.rivermeeting.arp.750pix.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The East Lyn at Lynmouth]]
==Watercourse==
The river is formed as the Upper East Lyn at [[Malmsmead]] from two minor tributaries, the [[Oare Water]] and [[Badgworthy Water]]. It flows westwards and less than a mile below Oare it enters Devon.

The East Lyn cuts a steep valley westwards through Devon never more than a mile from the coast, and flows for several miles, past [[Brendon]], and makes confluence with [[Hoar Oak Water]] at Watersmeet, where [[Watersmeet House]] is situated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watersmeet|url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/watersmeet/|publisher=National Trust|accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> The river then passes through a narrow gorge section, before flowing downstream for a further two and a half miles until the river meets with the [[West Lyn River]] and flows into the [[Bristol Channel]] at [[Lynmouth]].<ref>{{cite web|title=River East Lyn|url=http://somersetrivers.org/index.php?module=Content&func=view&pid=11|publisher=Somerset Rivers|accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref>

==Recreation==
===Angling===
Angling interests especially in the summer are targeted towards the salmon which migrate up the river to spawn. There is also trout fishing.<ref>{{cite web|title=The East Lyn|url=http://www.fishingthewest.co.uk/?page_id=276|publisher=Fishing the West|accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref>

===Walking===
It is popular for walkers with the [[Two Moors Way]] near to much of the river.

===Whitewater kayaking===
Whitewater kayakers frequently run this river in the winter when seeking a challenging Grade 4 paddle.<ref>{{cite web|title=River East Lyn - Brendon to Watersmeet|url=http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/south-west/river-east-lyn-brendon-to-watersmeet|publisher=UK Rivers Guidebook|accessdate=8 March 2014}}</ref> 

==Outside links==
*{{NT link|Watersmeet}} - National Trust

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:East Lyn, River}}
[[Category:Rivers of Devon]]
[[Category:Rivers of Somerset]]