Chapter 5. Reservoirs
5.1 Old reservoirs can contribute to new functions [Venres2]
5.2 Chew Valley Lake was the first new reservoir to be designed, in 1956, with provision for recreation. (Courtesy of the Bristol Waterworks Company)
5.3 In 1963 a water engineer predicted that even if all the citizens of Manchester went to urinate in Haweswater once a year, the increase in pollution would not be measurable.
5.4 Derwent Reservoir. Yachting on reservoirs has become extremely popular.
5.5 At Kielder, said to be the largest reservoir in Europe, swimming is allowed only from this one steep, sharp, north-facing 'beach' [box - large photo with small inset of sign].
5.6 The exposed beach of Thirlmere, in the English Lake District, can be viewed as an ugly 'drawdown problem' or a beautiful 'estuarine shore', depending on one's mindset .
5.7 Reservoirs can be similar to or different from their surroundings. Difference is likely to be the best policy in an urban area. Similarity will normally be best in a wild place. [venres1].
5.8 Landscape concepts should be prepared for the future development of existing reservoirs. These diagrams show six proposals for land use around reservoir shores: A. Agriculture; B; A new town; C. Forestry; D. Park; E. Recreation; F. Wildlife.
5.9 Brenig Reservoir was designed to be remote and wild.
5.10 Megget Reservoir, completed in 1983. A conservation approach was adopted to ameliorate the impact of the reservoir on the landscape, agriculture, recreation and ecology of the area.
5.11 Talla Reservoir. The drawoff tower and spillway were designed as innovative features to contrast with the existing landscape.
5.12 Kielder Reservoir. The secondary dam, at Bakethin, was built to retain the water level in one arm of the reservoir, purely for amenity reasons. The principle is excellent; the structure is ugly.
5.13 London has over thirty bunded reservoirs which are shut off from the city by steep embankments and high fences.
5.14 The Walthamstow Reservoirs could be London's most beautiful water park - if they were open to the public.
5.15 Reservoir-side towns could draw inspiration from lakeside towns, like Speiz on Lake Thun in the Bernese Oberland. (Courtesy of Swiss Tourist Office).
5.16 Haweswater Reservoir. The submerged village of Mardale became a popular tourist attraction when it was revealed in the dry summer of 1984. Its demolition by the water authority is regrettable: there are regrettably few opportunities to preserve a complete English village.
5.17 Normanton Church, Rutland Water, was half buried in an island. Despite its ridiculous proportions, it has become a 'popular landmark', because people love to see buildings beside water.
