GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

The main lake – Melton Country Park

Taken from the dam that forms the main part of the flood defence system that protects Melton Mowbray from the flood prone Scalford Brook.

Major flooding of Scalford Brook in 1947, 1969 and 1975 seriously affected industrial and residential properties in the town. As a result a detailed feasibility study, commissioned to investigate the options available to alleviate the problem, it was decided to construct an embankment to impound any flood waters from the Brook. The dam was built in 1989 – 1990, and the Country Park was opened shortly after its completion to take advantage of the new wetland habitat and the surrounding woodland and open spaces. There are three lakes in total, a small upper lake controlled by a weir, this main lake whose water level is controlled by the dam and a sluice, and the lower lake whose level is also controlled by a sluice which allows a controlled volume of water flow down the Scalford Brook, into the River Eye and thence to the River Wreake.

Note the water depth markers, one in the water and one on the bank.