| River Cary | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | England |
| County | Somerset |
| Region | Somerset Levels |
| City | Somerton, Somerset |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Park Pond |
| • location | Castle Cary, Somerset, England |
| • coordinates | 51°05′12″N2°30′49″W / 51.08667°N 2.51361°W /51.08667; -2.51361 |
| Mouth | River Parrett |
• location | Dunball, Somerset, England |
• coordinates | 51°09′40″N2°59′18″W / 51.16111°N 2.98833°W /51.16111; -2.98833 |
TheRiver Cary is a river inSomerset, England. It is sourced from the Park Pond inCastle Cary and flows towards the southwest.
The origin of the nameCary is uncertain. It may be derived frompre-Celtickar-, meaning "stony, hard",[1] or theCeltic elementcar meaningdear, pleasant (cf.Welshcari, "love").[2]
The River Cary has its source at Park Pond inCastle Cary, and then flows southwest throughCary Moor toBabcary, where there is abiological Site of Special Scientific Interest atBabcary Meadows andCary Fitzpaine. It then flows northwest throughCharlton Mackrell to the north ofSomerton, passing under theSomerton Viaduct. Here the river channel has been straightened and drains the surrounding wetland as it heads north to Kings Sedge Moor. The Cary passes throughKing's Sedgemoor continuing west across the moors south of thePolden Hills. AtHenley it joins the artificial channels of the Sutton Moor Rhyne and theKing's Sedgemoor Drain, both of which drain the wetland. Much of the water is now diverted into King's Sedgemoor Drain, which continues across the moors to join the estuary of theRiver Parrett atDunball.[3]
In 1995 a major pollution incident occurred whenlindane andmercuryseed dressing were poured down a drain which leads into the river near Somerton.[4]
