Draycote Water facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Draycote Water |
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Draycote Water
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 Draycote Water
Location in Warwickshire
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| 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 | 240 hectares (590 acres) |
| Average depth | 70 feet (21 m) |
| Water volume | 5 billion gallons (23 million m³) |
Draycote Water is a large reservoir and country park in Warwickshire, England. It's located near the village of Dunchurch, about 6 kilometers (3.75 miles) south of Rugby. Severn Trent Water owns and manages this important site.
This reservoir gets its water from the River Leam. It provides drinking water for the towns of Rugby and Coventry. The reservoir is named after the small village of Draycote, which is nearby.
Draycote Water was built in the 1960s and opened in 1970. In 2012, new pipes and pumps were added to help manage the water supply. The reservoir can hold up to 5 billion gallons (23 million cubic meters) of water. It is about 21 meters (70 feet) deep at its deepest point.
It's a popular spot for many activities. People come here for birdwatching, cycling, running, and windsurfing. It's also a great place for fly fishing and boating. You can catch brown trout and rainbow trout from the banks or from boats. There's even a farm nearby with a herd of alpacas!
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What is Draycote Water?
Draycote Water is an artificial lake built to store water. It supplies water to the southern and eastern parts of Warwickshire, especially to the cities of Rugby and Coventry. Severn Trent Water owns and manages the reservoir.
You can find Draycote Water just south of the M45 motorway, near the small village of Draycote. You can reach it from the A426 road. The reservoir doesn't have natural rivers flowing into it. Instead, water is pumped in from the nearby River Leam. Water also comes from Stanford Reservoir, which gets its water from the River Avon.
The reservoir covers an area of about 240 hectares (590 acres). It can hold 5 billion gallons (23 million cubic meters) of water. The deepest part is about 21 meters (70 feet). The edge of the reservoir is a mix of concrete and natural earth.
How Was Draycote Water Built?
Draycote Water was built between 1967 and 1969. It was needed because more and more people in eastern and southern Warwickshire needed water. The reservoir officially opened in 1970.
In early 2012, the reservoir had to be temporarily closed. This was because there wasn't much rain during the winter, and the water level dropped very low. It was less than half full! To fix this, Severn Trent built a new pump and 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) of pipe. This new system connects the reservoir to Welches Meadow, an area on the River Leam that often floods. This helps keep the reservoir full.
Animals and Nature at Draycote Water
Draycote Water is a fantastic place for many different bird species. During the winter, you might see a great northern diver visiting for a long time. Other birds like kittiwakes and small numbers of Mediterranean and little gulls also visit.
Many types of diving ducks live here, with the tufted duck being the most common. There are sometimes around 1,200 tufted ducks! The most common bird at the site is the black-headed gull. More than 50,000 gulls gather here to rest. In the autumn, several wading birds visit Draycote. These include the ringed and little ringed plover.
The reservoir is also home to fish like brown trout and rainbow trout. Some of these fish can weigh more than 5 kilograms (11 pounds)! People enjoy fishing for them from boats or from the banks.
Near the reservoir, to the northeast, is Toft Farm. This farm has a herd of alpacas, which are fun to see!
Fun Activities at Draycote Water
Draycote Water has a country park on its southern side, covering about 21 acres (8.5 hectares). The park offers great spots for birdwatching and fishing. There are also several nature trails to explore and a visitor center.
A path goes all the way around the reservoir, making a total distance of 8 kilometers (5 miles). This path is perfect for cyclists and walkers. The Draycote Water Sailing Club is located on the shoreline. They offer dinghy sailing and windsurfing, and they also host races.
Severn Trent Water, who owns the reservoir, warns people not to swim in the water. This is because the reservoir is very deep, the water can be extremely cold, and there might be strong currents from the pumps that move the water.
