Drift Reservoir

Drift Reservoir
Location	Cornwall
Coordinates	50°06′29″N 5°35′28″W / 50.1080°N 5.5910°W / 50.1080; -5.5910Coordinates: 50°06′29″N 5°35′28″W / 50.1080°N 5.5910°W / 50.1080; -5.5910
Lake type	reservoir
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Max. length	1 mi (1.6 km)

Drift Reservoir is a reservoir in Cornwall, UK, just north of Drift village, southwest of Penzance. The reservoir is approximately a mile (1.6 km) long. It has a large dam at its southern end, and at the northern end, splits into a northwestern and a northeastern arm. It is currently operated by South West Water.

History

The reservoir was first given statutory approval in 1938 (Under the Penzance Corporation Act 1938^[1]) but construction was deferred until after World War II and was finally completed by the West Cornwall Water Board in 1960 and has been since this date the principal source of water for the Penwith area.

Birdwatching

Although generally hosting only small numbers of birds, the reservoir has attracted a considerable number of North American vagrant shorebirds and wildfowl, including a number of Lesser Scaup. Birdwatchers may use the bird hide, sited overlooking the northwestern arm.

References

1. ^ Pool, P. A. S. (1974) History of the Borough and Town of Penzance