Transient Landscape
Burrator Reservoir is in the Southwest corner of Devon, inside the Dartmoor National Park.
In 1585 the town of Plymouth was given authorisation by an Act of Parliament to divert the waters of the River Meavy.
Five years later, Sir Francis Drake the Mayor of Plymouth pushed through the construction of Drake’s Leat. Some of the River Meavy was diverted at a point now concealed by the reservoir.
However, the Leat was not able to maintain a constant water supply, as the water froze in winter and evaporated in summer.
Work started on the reservoir in 1893 and it was officially opened in 1898. The reservoir was enlarged 25 years later, when the dam height was raised by three metres. The Meavy Valley was flooded to form the dam.
Nowadays the reservoir is managed by South West Water.
The South West landscape (as we know it) is continually under threat; be that environmental or by increased urbanization. In 2009 it was discovered that several parts of South West England were infected by Sudden Oak Death, a vicious disease that kills off plants and trees. Sudden Oak Death has had a catastrophic effect on Burrator; hundreds of trees have been felled leaving in some parts a barren, empty landscape.
Burrator Reservoir's ever changing landscape is rich in history and memories. My own personal memories and connections to this landscape have been the inspiration for my ongoing body of work. I have revisited and visually documented this site regularly since 2004.
In 1585 the town of Plymouth was given authorisation by an Act of Parliament to divert the waters of the River Meavy.
Five years later, Sir Francis Drake the Mayor of Plymouth pushed through the construction of Drake’s Leat. Some of the River Meavy was diverted at a point now concealed by the reservoir.
However, the Leat was not able to maintain a constant water supply, as the water froze in winter and evaporated in summer.
Work started on the reservoir in 1893 and it was officially opened in 1898. The reservoir was enlarged 25 years later, when the dam height was raised by three metres. The Meavy Valley was flooded to form the dam.
Nowadays the reservoir is managed by South West Water.
The South West landscape (as we know it) is continually under threat; be that environmental or by increased urbanization. In 2009 it was discovered that several parts of South West England were infected by Sudden Oak Death, a vicious disease that kills off plants and trees. Sudden Oak Death has had a catastrophic effect on Burrator; hundreds of trees have been felled leaving in some parts a barren, empty landscape.
Burrator Reservoir's ever changing landscape is rich in history and memories. My own personal memories and connections to this landscape have been the inspiration for my ongoing body of work. I have revisited and visually documented this site regularly since 2004.
