Kinewell Lake is a former gravel pit alongside the river Nene in Northamptonshire. It is next to the village of Ringstead and is owned by the village.
The entire site is situated within the flood plain of the River Nene and is therefore subject to flooding. Much of the land seemed to be underwater for most of 1998!
The reserve is 32.4 hectares (80 acres) in size. The grid reference at the centre of the lake is SP978753.
The Lake and its borders have a rich variety of habitats. Around the lake edges there are several small reed-beds. There are marshy areas and wet grassland. Two established Poplar plantations border the river. Most of the other trees are Willow and Alder, but there are several mixed plantations of trees planted about 15 years ago when the lake was restored.
Most of the Willows are gradually being pollarded. The plantations are being thinned. The hedges are either being left to mature or have been laid.
The grassland is mainly 'improved' and so rather unexciting. However, there are plans to create flowering meadows.
Below are the links to the rest of the Kinewell Lake website:
