Slade Reservoirs

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The Slade Reservoirs are two man-made lakes near Ilfracombe in North Devon, England. They’re known as Lower Slade Reservoir and Upper Slade Reservoir. Built in the late 1850s to supply Ilfracombe with drinking water, they were later superseded by Wistlandpound Reservoir (completed in 1956). Today the Slade reservoirs are mainly used for fishing and recreation rather than as a main water supply.

Ownership and current use
- The reservoirs are owned by South West Water and leased to SW Lakes Trust, which manages fishing on the Lower Slade Reservoir.
- The waterworks that served Ilfracombe has been demolished; the town’s main waterworks now lies at Hore Down on the town’s outskirts.
- Wistlandpound Reservoir remains in use and is also used as a fishery, with fishing there restricted and requiring a permit.

Lower Slade Reservoir
- Home to a 6-acre mixed fishery containing carp, bream, tench, perch, common roach, and pike. Fishing is managed by SW Lakes Trust and requires a permit.
- Inflow and outflow are linked to West Wilder Brook, helping to maintain the water body.

Upper Slade Reservoir
- The twin reservoir also supports fishing, with access governed by permits.
- Inflow comes from a small stream, and water outflow eventually feeds West Wilder Brook. A staircase near the dam leads toward the old Barnstaple–Ilfracombe railway line.

History and notable events
- The original purpose was to supply Ilfracombe with water, but demand led to the construction of Wistlandpound Reservoir in 1956.
- In 2004, the murder of Charlotte Pinkney prompted extensive searches across North Devon, including draining around 150 million litres of water from nearby reservoirs. No body was found.

Today, Slade Reservoirs are valued mainly for their fishing opportunities, scenic surroundings, and place in the region’s water history.