Draycote Water

Draycote Water is an artificial reservoir, which supplies water to southern and eastern Warwickshire, in particular Rugby (via Barby Storage Reservoir) and Coventry. Owned and managed by Severn Trent Water, it is located just to the south of the M45 motorway in the hamlet of Draycote, which is close to Dunchurch. It is accessed from the A426 road, at . The reservoir has no natural inlets, its water being obtained by pumping from the nearby River Leam and from nearby Stanford Reservoir which obtains its water from the River Avon. Draycote Water was built between 1967 and 1969, to cope with rising demand in eastern and southern Warwickshire, and opened in 1970. Severn Trent responded by reversing the flow of water in an existing pipeline between Draycote Water and Welches Meadow Reservoir adjacent to the River Leam in Leamington Spa. This development required a short length of new pipe at the Draycote end and a new pump at Leamington. ==Flora and fauna==

The reservoir features many bird species. This includes the great northern diver, which makes a prolonged visit during the winter months, along with kittiwake and small numbers of Mediterranean and little gulls. There are several species of diving duck with the tufted duck the most common, numbering around 1,200 individuals. The most common bird at the site is the black-headed gull, which forms the majority of a gull roost of more than 50,000 individuals. A number of waders visit Draycote in the autumn, including the ringed and little ringed plover. To the north east of the reservoir is Toft Farm, which features a herd of alpacas. ==Sport and leisure==

Draycote Water has a country park on its southern shore, which extends across . The park has facilities for bird watching and fishing, as well as several nature trails and a visitor centre. A track around the perimeter allows cyclists and walkers to circumnavigate the reservoir, a total distance of . The Draycote Water Sailing Club is situated on the shoreline and offers dinghy sailing and windsurfing as well as races. The reservoir's owner, Severn Trent Water, warns the public not to swim in the reservoir, citing the large depth, potentially cold temperatures, and the risk of currents caused by the pumps which supply the water. ==See also==