Meldon Reservoir
Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon, Devon, England, UK
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
Meldon Reservoir, in Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon, Devon, England, UK, is a notable mineral locality within Dartmoor National Park, known for rare minerals like petalite and beryl.
It seems likely that the area features igneous rocks, with the Meldon Aplite Quarry showing a complex geological history of intrusions and metamorphism.
Research suggests mining occurred historically, but it is now a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), likely ceasing in the mid-20th century.
The area has a rich cultural heritage, with scenic views and recreational activities, embedded in Dartmoor's traditions.
The climate is temperate and wet, supporting diverse ecology, including blanket bogs and wildlife like herons and adders.
Geographic Location
Meldon Reservoir is located in Okehampton Hamlets, West Devon, Devon, England, UK, about 4 km south-west of Okehampton, a small town in West Devon. It sits within Dartmoor National Park, surrounded by the Okement Valley, with nearby landmarks like Yes Tor and High Willhays, the highest points in southern England. The area is part of the UK's temperate maritime climate zone, and nearby mineral sites include the Red-a-Ven Mine, known for sulphide-rich cherts.
Minerals Produced
The locality is famous for the Meldon Aplite Quarry, an SSSI, which exposes a lithium-beryllium-rich aplite yielding rare minerals like petalite (lithium-aluminium silicate), beryl (known for gem varieties), elbaite (a colorful tourmaline), leucophanite (a beryllium-fluorine mineral), milarite (confirmed after initial doubt), pollucite (cesium-rich), fluorite, topaz, and columbite-tantalite (niobium and tantalum). During droughts, the reservoir recedes, revealing additional mineral-bearing rocks.
Geological Structure
The Meldon Aplite Quarry features a late-stage aplite dyke, part of the Dartmoor granite complex, intruded into Lower Carboniferous sediments like shales and cherts, about 280 million years ago. This igneous intrusion caused thermal metamorphism, forming skarns and mineralizations, with pegmatitic segregations hosting rare minerals. Nearby Red-a-Ven shows sulphide-rich cherts with tin-bearing garnets and malayaite, reflecting a complex history of igneous activity and hydrothermal processes.
Mining History
The Meldon Aplite Quarry was historically mined for its unique minerals, likely for scientific and collector purposes, with structures like weighbridges indicating past activity. It is now disused and protected as an SSSI, suggesting mining ceased in the mid-20th century, though exact dates are not well-documented. The focus was on rare minerals rather than large-scale commercial extraction.
Local Culture and Characteristics
Meldon Reservoir is part of Dartmoor National Park, known for its natural beauty, hiking trails, and industrial heritage, including the historic Meldon Viaduct, now a cycle path. Built in the 1970s after controversy, it supplies water to North Devon and attracts tourists for walking, cycling, and fishing. Dartmoor's cultural heritage includes archaeological sites and folklore, enhancing its appeal as a scenic and historical destination.
Climate and Ecology
Located at 900 feet above sea level, Meldon Reservoir experiences a temperate maritime climate with cool temperatures and high rainfall, typical of Dartmoor's uplands, supporting blanket bogs and diverse habitats. The ecology includes woodlands with seasonal bluebells, wildlife like herons, brown trout, adders, and grass snakes, and is recognized as an SSSI and Special Area of Conservation, highlighting its conservation importance.