Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Reservoir

A view of Grimwith Reservoir from the ruin on the north shore.
Location Yorkshire Dales, England
Coordinates 54°04′48″N 01°54′41″W / 54.08000°N 1.91139°W / 54.08000; -1.91139Coordinates: 54°04′48″N 01°54′41″W / 54.08000°N 1.91139°W / 54.08000; -1.91139
Type Reservoir
Primary inflows Blea Beck, Gate Up Gill, Grimwith Beck
Primary outflows River Dibb
Catchment area 25.5 km2 (9.8 sq mi)
Basin countries United Kingdom
Surface area 1.47 km2 (0.57 sq mi)
Average depth 14.8 m (49 ft)[1]
Water volume 21,772,000 m3 (4.789×109 imp gal)
Surface elevation 288 m (945 ft)

Grimwith Reservoir is located in the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England. It is accessed from the B6265 road 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Hebden and 8 miles (13 km) west of Pateley Bridge. With a surface area of 1.47 square kilometres (0.57 sq mi) and holding 21,772,000 cubic metres (4.789×109 imp gal) of water it is Yorkshire Water's largest reservoir.[2]

The original reservoir was built in 1864 by the Bradford Corporation, the Local Authority for the city of Bradford, approximately 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level in Wharfedale.[2] Following an agreement made in 1970 the size of the reservoir was increased by seven times and the water level was raised by 20 metres (66 ft), with work starting in 1976 and being completed in 1983.[3] The reservoir outlet is the site of a renewable energy project that saw the installation of a small turbine that generates 1400 MWh of electricity per annum.[4]

The reservoir is an important area for birds and is home to wildfowl such as Eurasian wigeon, teal, greylag geese and Canada geese.[5] Other birds that can be seen at various times in the area include ringed plover, northern lapwing, common redshank, Eurasian curlew, reed bunting, lesser redpoll, whinchat and sedge warbler.

The reservoir is a popular destination for leisure activities such as sailing, walking and visitors to Stump Cross Caverns.[2][5] A 7.2 kilometres (4.5 mi) wheelchair-accessible footpath / track circumnavigates the reservoir.[6][7]

References

  1. "Grimwith Reservoir". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Grimwith reservoir". Yorkshire Water. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  3. "Craven Through The Years". Telegraph and Argus. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  4. "Renewable energy". Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Grimwith Reservoir". Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. Retrieved 22 August 2008.
  6. "Walk 1573 - Grimwith Reservoir". Walking Britain. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  7. Smith, Bob. "Dales 'missing link' improved to help disabled visitors at Grimwith Reservoir". Grough. grough.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
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