Draycote Water: Difference between revisions
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==Flora and fauna== |
==Flora and fauna== |
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The reservoir features many bird species. This includes the [[great northern diver]], which makes a prolonged visit during the winter months, along with [[kittiwake]] and small numbers of [[Mediterranean gull|Mediterranean]] and [[little gull]]s. There are several species of diving duck with the [[tufted duck]] the most common, numbering around 1,200 individuals. The most common bird at the site is the [[black-headed gull]], which forms the majority of a gull roost of more than 50,000 individuals. A number of waders visit Draycote in the autumn, including the [[ringed plover|ringed]] and [[little ringed plover]].<ref name="HarrapRedman"/> |
The reservoir features many bird species. This includes the [[great northern diver]], which makes a prolonged visit during the winter months, along with [[kittiwake]] and small numbers of [[Mediterranean gull|Mediterranean]] and [[little gull]]s. There are several species of diving duck with the [[tufted duck]] the most common, numbering around 1,200 individuals. The most common bird at the site is the [[black-headed gull]], which forms the majority of a gull roost of more than 50,000 individuals. A number of waders visit Draycote in the autumn, including the [[ringed plover|ringed]] and [[little ringed plover]].<ref name="HarrapRedman"/> |
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The reservoir's fish include the [[brown trout]] and [[rainbow trout]], some with a mass in excess of {{convert|5|kg|lb}}. These are fished for sport, both from boats and from the banks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flyfishdraycote.co.uk/about-us/ |title=About Us |work=Fly Fish Draycote}}</ref> |
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==Sport and leisure== |
==Sport and leisure== |
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Revision as of 15:48, 2 March 2020
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2019) |
| Draycote Water | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Warwickshire |
| Coordinates | 52°19′02″N 1°20′29″W / 52.31727°N 1.34127°W |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Managing agency | Severn Trent Water |
| First flooded | 1969 |
| Surface area | 2.43 square kilometres (600 acres) |
| Average depth | 19.7 metres (65 ft) |
| Water volume | 22,730,000m³ (5 billion gallons) |
Draycote Water is a reservoir and country park near the village of Dunchurch, 3.75 miles (6 km) south of Rugby in Warwickshire, England, owned and operated by Severn Trent Water. It supplies drinking water to Rugby, via Barby Storage Reservoir, is named after the nearby hamlet of Draycote, and is on the A426 road at grid reference SP450690.
The reservoir was created in the 1960s and was opened in January 1969,[1] and is by far the largest expanse of water in Warwickshire. It covers more than 600 acres (240 ha) and holds up to 5 billion gallons (23 million m³) of water. The water is extracted by a tower on the northwest side of the reservoir.
The reservoir is filled by water that is pumped uphill from the river Leam at Eathorpe village and also from a supply at Stanford reservoir north of Rugby.
It is a site for birdwatching and has a bird hide, with a feeding station sponsored by the West Midland Bird Club. Severn-Trent manage an adjacent 20 acres (8 ha) country park.
Draycote Water is home to a herd of alpacas.
Draycote is used by cyclists, runners, windsurfers, fly fishers and for boating. Fishing is for brown trout and rainbow trout from the banks or from boats.
Description
Draycote Water is an artificial reservoir, which supplies water to southern and eastern Warwickshire, in particular Rugby and Coventry.[2] Owned and managed by Severn Trent Water,[3] it is located just to the south of the M45 motorway in the hamlet of Draycote, which is close to Dunchurch.[4] The reservoir has no natural inlets, its water being obtained by pumping from the nearby River Leam.[2] It has an area of approximately 240 hectares (590 acres), with a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 m).[2] The shoreline of the reservoir is a mixture of concrete and natural embankment.[5]
Draycote Water was built between 1967 and 1969, to cope with rising demand in eastern and southern Warwickshire, and opened in 1970.[2] In early 2012 the reservoir had to be closed temporarily, as record-low rainfall during the winter months had caused its level to reduce to less than 50% of capacity.[6] Severn Trent responded by building a new pump and 9 miles (14 km) of pipe, linking the reservoir to a site further downstream on the River Leam in Leamington Spa.[7]
Flora and fauna
The reservoir features many bird species. This includes the great northern diver, which makes a prolonged visit during the winter months, along with kittiwake and small numbers of Mediterranean and little gulls. There are several species of diving duck with the tufted duck the most common, numbering around 1,200 individuals. The most common bird at the site is the black-headed gull, which forms the majority of a gull roost of more than 50,000 individuals. A number of waders visit Draycote in the autumn, including the ringed and little ringed plover.[5]
The reservoir's fish include the brown trout and rainbow trout, some with a mass in excess of 5 kilograms (11 lb). These are fished for sport, both from boats and from the banks.[8]
Sport and leisure
Draycote Water has a country park on its southern shore, which extends across 21 acres (8.5 ha). The park has facilities for bird watching and fishing, as well as several nature trails and a visitor centre. A track around the perimeter allows cyclists and walkers to circumnavigate the reservoir, a total distance of 5 miles (8.0 km).[9] The Draycote Water Sailing Club is situated on the shoreline and offers dinghy sailing and windsurfing as well as races.[10]
The reservoir's owner, Severn Trent Water, warns the public not to swim in the reservoir, citing the large depth, potentially cold temperatures, and the risk of currents caused by the pumps which supply the water.[3]
References
- ^ Aspects of 20th Century Rugby, Rugby Local History Research Group
- ^ a b c d "Draycote Water". Severn Trent Water.
- ^ a b "Draycote Water swimming dangers spelled out". Rugby Observer. 30 April 2017.
- ^ Martin Walters; Bob Gibbons (2003). Britain. Oxford University Press,. p. 244.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ a b Simon Harrap; Nigel Redman (2013). Where to Watch Birds in Britain. A&C Black,.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|loc=ignored (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) - ^ "Severn Trent's £500,000 bid to fill Draycote reservoir". BBC News. 15 February 2012.
- ^ "Draycote reservoir refilled through new pipeline". BBC News. 5 March 2012.
- ^ "About Us". Fly Fish Draycote.
- ^ "Directory of attractions - Draycote Water Country Park". Rugby Town Centre.
- ^ "Draycote Water". Draycote Water Sailing Club.
External links
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