Aqualate Mere
Aqualate Mere in Staffordshire is the largest natural lake in the Midlands. It lies at the edge of the county, close by the border of Shropshire and the town of Newport, Shropshire in the latter county.
The lake is within the grounds of Aqualate Hall, but managed as a National Nature Reserve by Natural England.[1] It is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Lapworth.
The name of the lake appears to be from the Old English Ac gelad, meaning "Oak lode" or "Oak path".
Geography
The lake is just over a mile from Newport, Shropshire. It is within the grounds of Aqualate Hall, a country house, with a landscaped deer park.
Although large in extent, almost a mile long and some 500 yards wide, the lake is remarkably shallow and is nowhere much more than three feet deep. Aqualate Mere is an example of an esker system (rare in the Midlands) formed by glacial meltwaters during the late Devensian glaciation, about 50,000 years ago.[2] The depression in which the Mere lies, thought to be a kettle hole,[1] and the surrounding higher ground which comprises glacial sand and gravel deposits were all formed at the same time.
It is fed by streams coming from the north, south and east (including Back Brook), and its outflow to the west forms the River Meese which joins the River Tern, a tributary of the River Severn.
Wildlife
The Mere supports diverse fish and bird populations, including large numbers of wintering and breeding wildfowl and breeding curlew and common snipe. Together with the surrounding land, it is also important for its botanical and invertebrate communities. Mammals found on the reserve include polecats, water voles and harvest mice, together with bats such as pipistrelle, Daubenton's, Natterer's, Brandt's and whiskered.[1]
Outside links
- Location map: 52°46’52"N, 2°20’21"W