The reservoir's original purpose was to provide water for the newly built British Cellophane Factory in Bridgwater.

It is used for coarse fishing, particularly carp, roach, bream, perch, tench and pike.

[1] West Bower Manor (also known as Durleigh Manor), which stands on the shore of the reservoir, is all that remains of a large manorial property, the majority of which has been demolished.

[3] The principal surviving element from the Medieval manor is the gatehouse.

This has been extensively restored, but is a good example of a former courtyard gatehouse with a pair of faceted turrets on either side of the former entrance passageway.