Built more than two centuries ago to supply water for the expanding canal system, the two-and-a-half mile long Rudyard Lake is a vital part of our historic waterway network.
Today, the lake is cared for and maintained by us and serves both as a water resource and a popular leisure destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year for boating, walking and wildlife watching.
To ensure that the lake is meeting present day standards (as required under the Reservoirs Act 1975), essential maintenance works are required.
Recent assessments have highlighted the need for works to strengthen and improve the reservoir system, particularly regarding spillway stability, seepage control and flood management.
Before any work can take place, a feasibility study needs to be undertaken to assess whether proposed improvements to Rudyard Dam, Rudyard Feeder and Knypersley Feeder are practical, safe and cost-effective.
These works are associated with our recent agreement with Severn Trent that bolster future water resilience to parts of the canal network and water supply in North Staffordshire. By increasing water supply for Severn Trent, they will in turn provide welcome investment into the Trust’s upgrade to the dam at Rudyard Lake.
You can read more about our current water situation and details of our agreements with water companies to benefit boaters in our recent Boaters Update from August.
The feasibility process and project timescales
This stage of the project is focused on gathering detailed information and exploring options before any construction work begins. Desk-based assessments has been ongoing since early 2025 and will continue into 2026, alongside ground investigations on-site.
No construction activities or upgrade works will take place until the feasibility phase is complete. At the end of this phase, a Feasibility Report will be produced, which will include modelling results, optioneering recommendations and risk mitigation strategies.
A decision will also be made on a preferred design option for spillway and feeder upgrades at the end of the feasibility phase – expected to be in July 2026. If the project is deemed viable and safe, works on-site could begin in 2027 date at the earliest.
At this stage of our proposals, we are not considering any improvement works to be undertaken to the Dane Feeder, however we remain open to considering potential measures in the future as our design work continues to progress.
Updates & keeping in touch
In the coming months, we will be engaging directly with local people, interested stakeholders and providing regular updates.
Regular updates will also be shared on this webpage. We will be keeping local residents and interested parties informed in advance of important updates around project timescale, including any anticipated future disruptions.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or queries please email us at [email protected] or call 03030 404040
