 Arlington Reservoir, on the opposite side of the river, was opened in 1971, and supplies water to the local area, including Eastbourne.It is situated at the foot of the South Downs and is an award-winning conservation site, being both a local nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.It is an important site for bird life, with up to 170 species breeding in the area and 10,000 migrating birds using it each year and is popular with walkers, and for horse riders and anglers.