2014

SX6684 : Fernworthy Reservoir

taken 10 years ago, near to Frenchbeer, Devon, England

This is 1 of 7 images, with title Fernworthy Reservoir in this square
Fernworthy Reservoir
Fernworthy Reservoir
Looking from the shore by the picnic area towards the outfall. Because this outfall creates a break in the dam wall this looks like a rather large infinity pool.
Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor

Fernworthy Reservoir was constructed between 1936 and 1942, the dam being built of concrete and faced with granite supplied from a small purpose dug quarry just a few hundred metres south of the dam. The reservoir covers 37 hectares (76 acres) and is 20 metres (64 feet) at its deepest. It has a capacity of 380 million gallons. The South Teign River catchment feeds the reservoir and the water is used for hydrogenation and is pumped to Tottiford Water Treatment Works to supply south Devon. Forestry planting began in 1931 on land bought from the Duchy of Cornwall and stretches around the western end and north side of the Reservoir. 203 acres surrounding the lake are managed for conservation and amenity access by South West Lakes Trust and includes fly fishing for brown trout, bird watching and walking. It is possible to walk right round the reservoir and there is also a short circular walk starting in the main car park. The site is of historical interest with many Bronze Age and earlier remains, the most numerous being stone hut circles. During years of drought low water levels often reveal the remains of these circles and, at the western end of the reservoir, a small granite Clapper bridge which once crossed the South Teign River.
There is a legend surrounding the old Fernworthy Farm concerning the quarrying of granite to build the farmhouse causing the disturbance of earth gnomes who lived deep in the hillside. Obviously the gnomes were none to happy about this and a stolen baby resulted, see LinkExternal link. In fact this tale of the Fernworthy Vengeance is believed by some to be behind the catastrophic storm and subsequent flooding of the reservoir construction site in 1938 causing serious delays in the work.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Kate Jewell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Lakes, Wetland, Bog Water resources Primary Subject: Reservoir
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Looking [4] · Picnic Area [4] · Dam [3] Title Clusters: · Fernworthy Reservoir [7] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
SX6684, 23 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Kate Jewell   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 24 April, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Tuesday, 29 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SX 6696 8418 [10m precision]
WGS84: 50:38.5247N 3:52.9747W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SX 6690 8400
View Direction
North-northeast (about 22 degrees)
Clickable map
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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