Abberton Reservoir

Abberton Reservoir is a large freshwater lake in eastern England, six kilometres south-west of Colchester near the village of Layer de la Haye. It covers 700 hectares and holds up to 41,000 megalitres of water, making it the biggest body of fresh water in Essex. Most of the water comes from the River Stour, pumped through 141 kilometres of pipelines from Norfolk’s River Ouse. The reservoir has three sections separated by causeways and reaches depths of 17 metres in its main part. It sits on land that was once farm fields and small woods, dammed in the late 1930s to supply growing water needs. A concrete apron once lined much of its edge, but this was removed during a 2013 expansion to improve wildlife habitat. The site is important for birds and has protected status as a Ramsar wetland and Site of Special Scientific Interest. It supports breeding cormorants, wintering waterfowl and migrating species, including little egrets and cattle egrets. The Western and Central sections have natural reedbeds and damp grassland, while the Main section’s concrete edges were reshaped to create pools and marshland. A blocked culvert lets managers control water levels in the western parts separately from the main basin. Essex and Suffolk Water works with the Essex Wildlife Trust to manage 200 hectares around the reservoir for wildlife. Visitors find open water framed by reedbeds and grassland, with views across the three sections divided by causeways. The Layer de la Haye causeway offers a clear view of the Main section’s deep waters. The reshaped edges now attract water birds, and the area supports a wide range of species year-round. The reservoir lies less than eight kilometres from the Essex coast, adding to its scenic setting. A small part of the site is managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust for conservation. The landscape shows traces of its wartime past, including wartime minefields and Dam Busters practice runs.