Lower Tamar Lake

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Lower Tamar Lake
England relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Lower Tamar Lake
Location England
Coordinates 50°52′23″N4°25′30″W / 50.873°N 4.425°W / 50.873; -4.425 Coordinates: 50°52′23″N4°25′30″W / 50.873°N 4.425°W / 50.873; -4.425
Type reservoir
The spillway (in 1985). Lower Tamar Lake spillway - geograph.org.uk - 914820.jpg
The spillway (in 1985).

Lower Tamar Lake is located on the Devon-Cornwall border, in England, near Thurdon. [1]

It was constructed in the 1820s to supply water to the Bude Canal. It is now a nature reserve. It is also a popular fishing lake.

The reservoir has been formed by damming the River Tamar. To the north (upstream) is the newer Upper Tamar Lake, [1] a reservoir used for public water supply.

The county boundary originally ran along the (natural) route of the River Tamar, but was re-aligned along a (now disused) re-routing of the river to the reservoir's west side, placing the lake in Devon. [1]


There are several short walks at the lake, such as the aqueduct trail. This is a path following the canal that reaches a small building showing the history of the lake. Another walk that can be taken is towards upper lake. this route is also popular for cyclists.

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