Online meeting
We are keen to keep the local community and user groups fully informed as the project develops. We will be writing to residents and hosting an online community meeting to introduce the project and invite questions. The online meeting is open to all and will be held on Thursday 7 January at 7.00pm.
To get in touch or register an interest in attending the online meeting, please email the Trust at [email protected] or call the Freephone information line on 0800 028 8141.
An important leisure destination
The reservoir, situated between Sheffield and Worksop near to the village of Harthill, was constructed more than 200 years ago to supply water to the Chesterfield Canal, located approximately two miles to the north.
Once a key route for commercial boat traffic, beautiful Chesterfield Canal has become an important local leisure destination. Harthill Reservoir still acts as an important water feed to the canal and is now also a popular fishery, local walking route and home to user groups such as Rotherham Sailing Club and Yorkshire Outdoor Swimmers.
Over the next few months, we will be carrying out a range of ground investigation and topographical studies, as well as heritage and ecological assessments. This will help to inform plans to re-model the overflow spillway alongside other operational enhancements at the reservoir.
The main project is expected to start in 2022 and be completed within 12 months. The Trust will keep reservoir water levels temporarily reduced until the upgrade work is completed.
Improving the infrastructure
Sean McGinley, our Yorkshire and North East regional director, said: “This reservoir was originally constructed in the late 18th century. From time to time we need to upgrade and improve the canal infrastructure to present day standards. This project will involve redesigning the overflow spillway to increase the resilience of Harthill Reservoir. We ask people to bear with us in the short term while we make these important upgrades to the reservoir structures.
“Rotherham Sailing Club, model boaters, anglers and Yorkshire Outdoor Swimmers are just some of the groups that regularly enjoy the wonderful amenity of this beautiful, rural reservoir and we understand that temporarily reducing the reservoir water level is not ideal. However, this important upgrade work will secure Harthill Reservoir's long-term future and ensure that people can continue to enjoy the important physical health and wellbeing benefits of being by water for many years to come.”
