It is run by Wessex Water and has a capacity of 5,364,000 cubic metres (1.180×109 imp gal),[1] supplying some 200,000 homes.

[3] There are seven water inlets at Clatworthy which are all described as hot spots for fishermen, but generally the south bank is considered to be the best area.

Clatworthy offers top of the water fishing with nymphs or dry flies or, at the deep areas, with sinking lines and flashing lures.

Clatworthy reservoir features a range of habitats including acid grassland, Fox glove, broadleaf woodlands and scrub leading to marshy areas around the inlet streams.

The site is home to a range of passage and woodland birds as well as geese, grebes and swans.