Alton Water

Infobox lake
lake_name = Alton Water
image_lake = Altonwatersports.jpg
caption_lake = The reservoir is used for a variety of water sports.
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location = Suffolk
coords = coord|51|58|50|N|1|8|0|E|type:waterbody_region:GB|display=inline,title
type = reservoir
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basin_countries = United Kingdom
length =
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Alton Water (or Alton Reservoir) is a manmade reservoir. It is the largest in Suffolk, with a circumference of over 8 miles (13 km).

Construction

Due to a shortage of water in the Ipswich area in the 1960s a list of 20 potential sites for reservoirs was made with Alton being the chosen site.

The land was mainly farmland, but was also home to a mill and Alton Hall. The mill was dismantled and reconstructed at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket.

Construction and the filling with water took 13 years to complete. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/nature/alton_water/reservoir.shtml]

Uses

The reservoir is primarily used for the supply of water to Ipswich and the surrounding areas.Other uses include:
* Fishing
* Sailing and watersports
* Birdwatching
* Cross country cycling
*It served as the location for water sports days as part of EuroJam in 2005 and the 21st World Scout Jamboree in 2007.

There is a sports centre situated at the reservoir, and also a restaurant and tea room.