Dowdeswell Reservoir

During the engineering works undertaken in 1998 Severn Trent put in place a management programme for the protection of this white-clawed crayfish.

Scobb’s Grove is a separate copse of damp Ash, Alder, Hazel and Willow woodland containing ferns, Small Teasel and Alternate-leaved Golden-saxifrage.

Source:[5] Dowdeswell wood (grid reference SO993204) is a 82-hectare (200-acre) site and lies on the northern slopes of the Chelt valley and one mile east of Charlton Kings.

The wood forms part of the gathering grounds for Dowdeswell Reservoir and became an extension to this reserve in 1992 under agreement with Severn Trent.

Extensive management work was carried out and a way-marked series of paths were created accessible from the Cotswold Way national trail.

The character of this wood was changed dramatically in the 1950s and subsequently by replacing with conifers following felling of mature Oak, Ash, Beech and many diseased Elms.

Dowdeswell Reservoir and Wood from the south, residuum and Scobb's Grove off photo to right, and Cotswold Way National Trail to left of wood and below dam embankment
Dowdeswell Woods entrance sign
Cotswold Way in Dowdeswell Woods
Reservoir towards dam end and wood edge, winter 2005
Common Toad (male and female pair) on 2013 migration to Dowdeswell Reservoir
Great Crested Grebe with young on back