Reservoirs

The rapid growth of the industrial cities of Leeds and Bradford during the 18th and 19th centuries necessitated the establishment of a plentiful and reliable source of water for the future. To cater for this growing demand, many reservoir sites were developed across the eastern and western Pennines. In the AONB, twelve reservoirs were constructed between 1875 and 1966 reflecting its gritstone topography coupled with high rainfall, rapid run-off and an impervious geology.

The Washburn Valley Reservoirs

The then Leeds Corporation acquired the majority of the Washburn Valley in the southern half of the AONB to develop four reservoirs to supply drinking water to Leeds

Lindley Wood, completed 1875 as a compensation reservoir for the River Washburn
Swinsty, completed 1876
Fewston, completed 1879
Thruscross completed 1966

The Upper Nidderdale Reservoirs

The then Bradford Corporation built four reservoirs to supply drinking water directly to Bradford via a strikingly engineered system of underground stone-lined tunnels and above-ground aqueducts.

Haden Carr, completed 1899 and later submerged
Gouthwaite, completed 1901 as a compensation reservoir for the River Nidd
Angram completed 1919
Scar House completed 1936

The remains of the village built to house construction workers are still visible as is their legacy of the massive dam wall, spillways, pumping houses and other structures.

The River Burn Reservoirs

Further north in Colsterdale, Harrogate Corporation completed work on two reservoirs in the early 20th century.

Roundhill, completed 1912 - water is fed into Yorkshire Water's grid
Leighton, completed in the late 19^th century to compensate for abstraction from the River Ure

The AONB's smallest reservoirs

March Ghyll, supplying Otley, completed in the late 19^th century
Lumley Wood, supplying Ripon, completed in the late 19^th century

In their development, many valley bottom settlements, textile mills, watercourses, communities, pasture and arable land were lost and the valley landscapes significantly altered as a result. On several occasions during periods of drought, when reservoir levels have sharply declined, the framework of the flooded landscapes, including the remains of West End village at Thruscross, have become visible again.

However, the reservoirs are an integral element of the AONB's landscape, providing new habitats for flora and fauna, contributing to the historic environment and creating extensive recreational opportunities such as fishing and walking.

More information on the AONB's reservoirs can be found on our "Source to City" pages. Source to City is a project designed to raise awareness and understanding of the heritage associated around the construction of the eleven reservoirs built in Nidderdale AONB.