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Draycote Water
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Draycote Water is a 240-hectare (590-acre) 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 draws its water from the River Leam, and supplies drinking water to Rugby and Coventry. It is named after the nearby hamlet of Draycote and is the largest body of water within Warwickshire.
Key Information
The reservoir was created in the 1960s and was opened in 1970, with a new pipe and pump installed in 2012. It has a capacity of up to 5 billion gallons (23 million m³) and a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 m).
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 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. A farm to the north east of the site has a herd of alpacas.
Description
[edit]Draycote Water is an artificial reservoir, which supplies water to southern and eastern Warwickshire, in particular Rugby (via Barby Storage Reservoir[1]) 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] It is accessed from the A426 road, at grid reference SP450690. The reservoir has no natural inlets, its water being obtained by pumping from the nearby River Leam and from nearby Stanford Reservoir which obtains its water from the River Avon.[2] It has an area of approximately 240 hectares (590 acres), with a maximum depth of 70 feet (21 m) and a capacity of 5 billion gallons (23 million m³).[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 reversing the flow of water in an existing pipeline between Draycote Water and Welches Meadow Reservoir adjacent to the River Leam in Leamington Spa.[7] This development required a short length of new pipe at the Draycote end and a new pump at Leamington.
Flora and fauna
[edit]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]
To the north east of the reservoir is Toft Farm,[9] which features a herd of alpacas.[10]
Sport and leisure
[edit]
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 km).[11] The Draycote Water Sailing Club is situated on the shoreline and offers dinghy sailing and windsurfing as well as races.[12]
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]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Firm says water supply alert over". BBC News. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ 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. ISBN 978-0-19-850433-7.
- ^ a b Simon Harrap; Nigel Redman (2013). Where to Watch Birds in Britain. A&C Black. ISBN 9781408194195.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Visit TOFT Studio HQ in Warwickshire". Toft Farm.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Open day at Dunchurch alpaca farm". Coventry Telegraph. 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Directory of attractions - Draycote Water Country Park". Rugby Town Centre.
- ^ "Draycote Water". Draycote Water Sailing Club.
External links
[edit]Draycote Water
View on GrokipediaLocation and Physical Features
Geographical Setting
Draycote Water is located in Warwickshire, England, approximately 3.7 miles (6 km) southwest of Rugby and about 9.3 miles (15 km) east of Coventry, near the village of Dunchurch.[2] Its precise position is at coordinates 52°19′N 1°20′W, placing it within the heart of the county's rural expanse.[6] This positioning integrates the reservoir seamlessly into the local topography, serving as a prominent feature in the landscape visible from surrounding areas. The reservoir is nestled in the gentle countryside of the River Leam valley, characterized by low hills, open farmlands, and undulating fields typical of southern Warwickshire.[7] It is bordered by agricultural land and lies adjacent to the River Leam, which feeds into it, enhancing its role within the valley's natural contours. Nearby villages such as Thurlaston, Toft, Dunchurch, and the hamlet of Draycote frame the site, contributing to its intimate connection with the rural community and providing scenic backdrops of pastoral scenery.[8] Accessibility to Draycote Water is facilitated by its proximity to major transport routes, including the A45 and M45 motorways, which connect it efficiently to Rugby and Coventry.[9] Visitors can reach the site via the B4453 from the A45 interchange or directly from the M45 at junction 17 of the M1, underscoring its status as a convenient local landmark for recreation and exploration in the region.[3]Reservoir Specifications
Draycote Water covers a surface area of 240 hectares (593 acres), making it one of the larger reservoirs in the Midlands region.[3] The reservoir reaches a maximum depth of 21 meters (70 feet), which supports its storage function while allowing for ecological diversity in the water column.[8] Its shoreline forms a perimeter of approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers), providing an extensive boundary that enhances its recreational appeal.[3] Structurally, the reservoir is impounded by six earth embankment dams, featuring granular drainage zones and substantial berms on both upstream and downstream sides for stability and safety.[10] A fully accessible perimeter path encircles the reservoir, constructed with a flat tarmac surface suitable for walking and cycling.[3]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 240 hectares (593 acres) |
| Maximum Depth | 21 meters (70 feet) |
| Perimeter | 5 miles (8 km) |
| Dam Type | Earth embankment (six structures) |
