Lake 'at unprecedented low level after dry spring'

A reservoir in Staffordshire has fallen to an "unprecedented" low water level in the wake of the driest spring in more than a century.

Rudyard Lake, near Leek, has dropped to 3.55m (11.6ft) below full, which adds up to about 30% capacity, according to the Canal and River Trust (CRT), which owns the site.

Adam Comerford, CRT's national hydrology manager, said the dry spell had presented a "real challenge" in terms of managing water resources.

"We've experienced one of the driest springs on record and it's gone into the summer with the heatwaves everyone has been enjoying," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We are worried, it is unprecedented – it's exceptional," Mr Comerford added.

The water is used to top up canals in the area, though he said other sources in the area can be used if the lake's levels get too low.

He said the trust would never allow the reservoir to become empty, because of support it provides the wildlife, adding the lowest it would get to is 10%.

Andy Rushton said he had not seen the water level this low in the 40 years he's been visiting the site

Andy Rushton, who regularly walks at the beauty spot, said he did not remember the water ever being this low in the 40 years he has been visiting the lake.

"To be honest, it's a bit depressing because you come down the driveway from the other bank and there's nothing to see – it's just dried mud," he said.

"Being a lover of wildlife, it doesn't help any of the birds or anything that nests on this side of the lake."

'Investing hugely'

Hydrologist Margaret Clark, claimed the site had also suffered from a "lack of maintenance" for many years.

"You would see low levels because it's a period of hot weather, but not as low as this," she said. "There would be ways of conserving the water."

Ms Clark said she would like to see an effort being made to bring the reservoir back to its "designed standard".

In response, Mr Comerford said the CRT was "investing hugely" in its assets across the country, with about £17m being spent each winter over the next five years.

He said it was a challenge for the charity to maintain its reservoirs and canals in the face of rising costs.

"We've got about 30% of the water left and we're trying to conserve that the best we can," he added.