ANGLING and water sports visitors to Devon’s largest lake are being urged to help protect native wildlife, recreational activities and the water supply by using a new, first-of-its-kind washdown facility.

Installed by South West Water in partnership with South West Lakes, the Environment Agency and Tecker, the washdown facility at Roadford Lake was officially opened by television wildlife presenter and author Nick Baker.

The equipment is designed to protect the lake, which is located on the Devon and Cornwall border and holds around 34,500 million litres of water, from the negative impacts of invasive non-native species.

These species are animals or plants that have been brought to the UK from other countries by human action (intentionally or accidentally) and have a negative impact on our environment, economy or health.

Roadford Lake’s upgrade from traditional washdown facilities offers a range of new features including boat and watercraft washdown, angling dip tanks, boot scrapers and even a stand-up paddleboard inflation/deflation point. Visitors are being asked to use the facilities before and after entering the lake to prevent introducing new invasives or spreading them to other areas.