Covenham Reservoir is a totally man made structure. It measures about 1km by 1km and is a store for water which can be pumped up from the nearby disused Louth Navigation Canal. Most of our water comes from underground aquifers but the level in these can be very low in years with little rain so Covenham Reservoir can act as a reserve supply. As it rises about 20m (60 feet) above the surrounding flat countryside whichever of the two methods of access is chosen it is a steep climb.
Views from the bottom and top of the steps:
The main problems using the steps, apart from their steepness, are the stiles which have to be negotiated top and bottom. Neither are suitable for Penny to jump. They are designed to keep sheep which graze on the grass outside the structure from entering the footpath.
The other way is suitable for cars as there is a watersports centre at the top:
Once at the top you get the first views of the reservoir:
From the footpath you can look down on the car park where I parked the battle wagon:
The only other structure, apart from the watersports centre, is the visible part of the pumping and water treatment centre at the far end:
The reservoir is lined with concrete to stop marginal water plants from growing. By the layers of water weed it is possible to gauge how full, or empty, it is:
Apart from it being a pleasant outing on a hot Summers day there were two reasons to go. One was to see if there was any human activity; sailing or wind surfing. The other was to see what wild birds, if any, were to be spotted. More about those later.
This is an impressive piece of engineering. A few reed beds wouldn't go amiss by the look of things but it is just a big tank so not surprising that they discouraged their growth.
ReplyDeleteAdrian: About fifteen years in the building so goodness knows how much it cost. No marginal plants to have to keep in check means low maintenance costs.
DeleteI can't help noticing the ragwort, which is so very poisonous to so many animals - we have a lot of it round here too. Some butterflies need it I understand but a friend lost two donkeys to ragwort poisoning.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the Lincolnshire countryside - but 'hot summer's day?' we haven't had a single one of those this year yet.
Weaver: Maybe the presence of Ragwort is the reason for not seeing any sheep on the last two visits there.
DeleteEvery time recently when I checked the rain radar forecasts it looked as though Yorkshire was getting more than its fair share. I'd better not mention we've now had three days with temps reaching at least 20C though today was very windy.
pretty area.
ReplyDeleteTWG. It is if you look in the right direction.
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