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Rutland Water: 'I never expected to see my submerged house again' Rutland Water: 'I never expected to see my submerged house again'
(1 day later)
Mr Appleton used to live at the demolished bungalow with his wife Tim Appleton used to live at the demolished bungalow with his wife
When the land where Tim Appleton's home stood was flooded nearly five decades ago to create a large reservoir, he never expected to return to his house again.When the land where Tim Appleton's home stood was flooded nearly five decades ago to create a large reservoir, he never expected to return to his house again.
The 78-year-old's home was among those bulldozed in 1976 to allow for Rutland Water's creation.The 78-year-old's home was among those bulldozed in 1976 to allow for Rutland Water's creation.
However, falling water levels in the reservoir during the recent drought have again exposed the remains of his house.However, falling water levels in the reservoir during the recent drought have again exposed the remains of his house.
He said it felt "weird" to be back, as his last memories were water "lapping towards" his bungalow when he moved out.He said it felt "weird" to be back, as his last memories were water "lapping towards" his bungalow when he moved out.
The low water levels have been blamed on dry weatherThe low water levels have been blamed on dry weather
Completed in 1977, the Rutland Water reservoir covers an area of 3,100 acres, with a storage capacity of 124,000 million litres.Completed in 1977, the Rutland Water reservoir covers an area of 3,100 acres, with a storage capacity of 124,000 million litres.
However, Mr Appleton thinks water levels in the reservoir are now at their lowest in 10 years.However, Mr Appleton thinks water levels in the reservoir are now at their lowest in 10 years.
He spoke to the BBC on the edge of the south arm of Rutland Water, near Hambleton.He spoke to the BBC on the edge of the south arm of Rutland Water, near Hambleton.
"A few months ago now, we would be walking in water. I suspect we'd at least be at our waist level and going deeper," he said."A few months ago now, we would be walking in water. I suspect we'd at least be at our waist level and going deeper," he said.
He said he moved there in 1975 to be the warden of the newly created Rutland Water Nature Reserve and "set up all the conservation things".He said he moved there in 1975 to be the warden of the newly created Rutland Water Nature Reserve and "set up all the conservation things".
Tim Appleton said he "can't believe" how long it has been since his home was flooded Mr Appleton said he "can't believe" how long it had been since his home was flooded
His home, at the time, was a "fairly modern-ish" bungalow.His home, at the time, was a "fairly modern-ish" bungalow.
"When I first moved in there I could see fairly little water and now we can see a fishing boat about 50 yards away from us, some geese on the water's edge, which would have been impossible when I moved in with my wife. "When I first moved in there, I could see fairly little water and now we can see a fishing boat about 50 yards away from us, some geese on the water's edge, which would have been impossible when I moved in with my wife," he said.
"Literally, when we left the water was more or less where those geese were, lapping towards us, so we got out pretty quickly.""Literally, when we left the water was more or less where those geese were, lapping towards us, so we got out pretty quickly."
He still lives overlooking the reservoir and only lived in the bungalow for a short period of time but remembers it fondly. He still lives overlooking the reservoir and only lived in the bungalow for a short period of time - but remembers it fondly.
'An incredible journey''An incredible journey'
Mr Appleton said Rutland Water's story began back in the 1960s, with the then-Water Authority looking for a reservoir site to supply water to future homes in East Anglia.Mr Appleton said Rutland Water's story began back in the 1960s, with the then-Water Authority looking for a reservoir site to supply water to future homes in East Anglia.
"They looked at a lot of sites, I think over 50 sites, and this was actually selected in the end purely because of the close proximity to two big rivers, the Welland and the Nene," he said."They looked at a lot of sites, I think over 50 sites, and this was actually selected in the end purely because of the close proximity to two big rivers, the Welland and the Nene," he said.
He added a special type of clay in the area, heavy blue Lias clay, influenced the decision.He added a special type of clay in the area, heavy blue Lias clay, influenced the decision.
"It's been an incredible journey and to think next year the reservoir will be 50 years old since it was flooded. I can't believe it," he said."It's been an incredible journey and to think next year the reservoir will be 50 years old since it was flooded. I can't believe it," he said.
A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: "We're asking customers to continue to be water wise to help us protect the region by leaving as much water in the environment as possible.A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: "We're asking customers to continue to be water wise to help us protect the region by leaving as much water in the environment as possible.
"This is because we can only take so much water out of the environment while leaving enough for nature to thrive."This is because we can only take so much water out of the environment while leaving enough for nature to thrive.
"We're continuing to monitor the situation closely, and we don't want to put a restriction in place unless we absolutely need to."We're continuing to monitor the situation closely, and we don't want to put a restriction in place unless we absolutely need to.
"This is why we're asking customers to continue playing their part by using a little less water this summer.""This is why we're asking customers to continue playing their part by using a little less water this summer."
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