SRA Annual Report 2025-26: Siphons appraisal
Investigations continued into three of the 14 siphons known to exist in the Axe, Brue and Parrett catchments.
These siphons were mostly built in the 19th and 20th centuries as part of drainage or river improvement schemes. For untold centuries people have shaped the distinctive landscape of the Somerset Levels and Moors. Before rivers were embanked hundreds of years ago, the Levels and Moors were natural flood plains – marshes – with many islands in them, from the Glastonbury and Meare lake villages in Iron Age times, through to Muchelney (Great Island), Thorney, Athelney, Westonzoyland and Horsey (Horse Island).
Siphons’ purpose is to enable water to go underneath rivers – to move from place to place – so that flood (and drought) risks can be better managed.
In 2025-26 the Axe Brue IDB used SRA funding to examine the three siphons judged to pose the biggest flood risks if they failed. One (called Swallows) goes under the River Brue about 1.5 miles north-west of Baltonsborough in the Watchwell Drove-Butt Moor area, one goes under the River Sheppey on the eastern edge of Lower Godney, one (called Crossmoor) goes under the Old River Axe on the southern edge of Cross.
All need repairs.
Next steps are being considered by SRA partners.