Roadford Lake
Roadford Lake, also known as Roadford Reservoir is a man-made lake of 729 acres created as a reservoir to provide water to northern Devon. The lake is fed by numerous streams, but principally by the River Wolf. It contains some 7.6 x109 gallons of water.
In addition to the original purpose of the lake, it is also an activities centre. There are facilities for visitors and marked walking trails around the lake shore. Water-based activities are provided on the lake too, including sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, and activities on shore for younger visitors.
In 2008 South West Water received planning permission built a 100-bed holiday village beside the lake.[1]
Location and function
The lake is to be found to the north-east of Broadwoodwidger in western Devon, eight miles east of Launceston (across the Tamar in Cornwall) and is the largest area of fresh water in the West Country. As a reservoir it is operated by South West Water, it directly supplies water for North Devon. It also supplies Plymouth and south-western Devon by releases into the River Tamar for abstraction at Gunnislake.[2]
The lake is also a Local Nature Reserve.[3][4]
The creation of the reservoir in 1989 permitted extensive archaeological research to be undertaken in the valley of the River Wolf led by Professor Mick Aston of Bristol University and documented by the Channel Four documentary series Time Signs.[5]
Facilities
- Brown Trout fishing
- Lakeside Cafe
- Activities:
- Sailing
- Rowing
- Kayaking
- Windsurfing
- Canadian Canoes
- High Ropes Course
- Outdoor Archery Range
- Indoor Climbing wall
- Raft Building
- Footpath walks through mature forests/woodland
- Cycleway through mature forests/woodland
- Adjacent campsite
The facilities are managed by South West Lakes Trust, a registered charity.[6]
Outside links
- Roadford Lake
- South West Lakes Trust: Roadford
- Roadford Lake Holiday Village
- Roadford Lake Sailing Club
- Bristol Nomads at Roadford
References
- ↑ Roadford Lake: village
- ↑ South West Water - Roadford
- ↑ "Roadford Lake". Natural England. http://www.lnr.naturalengland.org.uk/special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&N=ROADFORD&ID=1273.
- ↑ "Map of Roadford Lake". Natural England. http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=lnrIndex&query=REF_CODE%3D%271421580%27.
- ↑ Time Signs: The Deserted Valley (Channel 4)
- ↑ South West Lakes Trust - Registered Charity no. 1079966 at the Charity Commission