Abberton Reservoir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Abberton Reservoir | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Essex |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Abberton Reservoir is an artificial body of water located close to the coast of Essex in the east of England. It is 5 miles (8 km) south-west of Colchester near the village of Layer de la Haye. Its geographical coordinates are (grid reference TL976182).
It is a large, shallow, freshwater storage reservoir and is the largest freshwater body in Essex. On its margins are found well-established plant communities that provide important opportunities for feeding, nesting and shelter. Abberton Reservoir is important as an autumn arrival area for waterbirds that then spend the winter elsewhere.
It was designated a Special Protection Area on 5 December 1991 as a result of its over-wintering populations of Golden Plover, Gadwall, Shoveler Ducks and Teal and for its breeding population of cormorants. In addition there are significant numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Coot, Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Pintail, Wigeon and Great Crested Grebe.
The Reservoir was used by the RAF's 617 Squadron ("The Dam Busters") for practice runs prior to the bombing of the German Dams in the Ruhr during World War II. Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the leader of the raid, referred to it as "Colchester Lake" in his auto-biography Enemy Coast Ahead. The reservoir was similar in shape to that of the Eder Dam in Germany which was attacked after the Möhne Dam had been breached. The Layer Causeway, from which the photograph was taken, was used as a substitute for the Eder Dam. The military police closed the causeway whilst the practice runs took place. Lancasters bombers were used and were fitted with special bouncing bombs designed by Barnes Wallis. The last flight was a full dress rehearsal of the attack and took place on the night of May 14th 1943; the actual attack on the dams in Germany took place on the night of May 16th 1943.
[edit] References
- 'SPA Description: Abberton Reservoir', jncc.gov.uk, (Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2001). Retrieved 13 January 2006.
