Conserving Drake’s Leat with Dartmoor Preservation Association

A Remarkable Feat of Construction

Drake’s Leat (or Plymouth Leat) has been a conservation focus for Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) for many years, as it’s a remarkable feat of construction and an important part of Dartmoor’s built history. The leat was constructed in the late 16th century, with the contract overseen by Sir Francis Drake, who was mayor of Plymouth at the time. The 28km channel carried vital fresh water from the River Meavy on Dartmoor to the growing town of Plymouth.

Drake’s Leat conservation work party. Credit Dartmoor Preservation Association

A Long-Term Commitment to Preservation

Drake’s Leat is a mostly stone-lined watercourse which was dug by hand. The channel is 4 ft to 5 ft across and 3ft deep. Much of the masoned channel still exists and is in good repair, in part thanks to the ongoing efforts of dedicated DPA volunteers, but it is no longer used and remains dry throughout most of the year.

Keeping the leat free of gorse and bracken means that this fascinating feature remains visible to visitors to the moor, with many ramblers following the route of the leat as part of their walk. Controlling vegetation also helps limit underground damage to the archaeology from root system growth, meaning that the leat should stay intact for many future generations to visit and learn about.

A Wartime Lifeline

Although Drake’s Leat hasn’t been in use for many years, before Burrator Reservoir was built it was the infrastructure that carried vital water from the River Meavy on Dartmoor to the town of Plymouth.

Drake’s Leat conservation work party. Credit Dartmoor Preservation Association

During the Second World War, when there were fears that German bombers may target the reservoir to cut off Plymouth’s water supply, the leat was repaired as an emergency backup. Luckily for Plymouth, Burrator Reservoir was not damaged, and there was no need to fall back on the emergency supply of water from the leat.

Volunteering

The DPA is one of the largest conservation groups on Dartmoor. Each year their volunteers put in an astonishing 800 days of conservation work on the moor. Volunteers undertake a range of different conservation projects during the course of a year, depending on the season – mainly gorse and scrub clearance in the autumn and winter. Bracken cutting and surveying are the usual summer activities.

There is a regular team of volunteers, mostly DPA members but not all, and they are always pleased to see a new face. You can find a calendar of events and conservation workdays on the DPA website - https://dartmoorpreservation.co.uk/get-involved/volunteering/

You can click on any event to find out further details of the day and obtain contact details for the organiser, or can make enquiries via the contact form.

Corporate and group volunteering

DPA actively encourage partnerships with corporate groups. Please drop them an email at info@dartmoorpreservation.co.uk

Drake’s Leat conservation work party. Credit Dartmoor Preservation Association

Drake’s Leat conservation work party clearing the leat. Credit Dartmoor Preservation Association & Val Barns