Our reservoirs store the water which keeps the canals topped up throughout the year. We have 71 large reservoirs – some of the oldest in the country - and among the oldest of their type in the world. Without them, there wouldn't be water for navigation, wildlife or for those who visit the towpath to spend time by water. And many people enjoy the reservoirs themselves for sailing, fishing and other recreational activities.
We are currently going through a significant programme of investment in these reservoirs to make sure they stay resilient to climate change and comply with the strict legislation that applies to all large reservoirs. Over the past three years we have spent over £40million on reservoir works, with spend forecast to remain around £20million per year for the next few years.
Short-term frustration for long term benefit
Between now and 2026, we have works at over 30 reservoirs planned. Unfortunately, in some instances, the nature of the work required means that we have to reduce the water level in the reservoirs until the work is complete - meaning there will be less water than normal available to feed navigation and there will be an impact on users of the reservoir itself.
Fifteen reservoirs have construction works planned for 2023: nine of these feed well-used canals and will have reduced water levels during parts of the year.
The work has been carefully planned with the aim that there will only be one reservoir offline in any area at any time, which means that other reservoirs in their local group will still be available to provide water for navigation. However, unfortunately, this is not always possible: while we will do everything to ensure the navigations remain open, reservoir safety and managing flood risk must take priority. Our water management and engineering teams are working closely with independent reservoir engineers to minimise the disruption where possible, such as through the timing of the works or the development of flood forecasting systems.
- There are ongoing repair works at Toddbrook throughout the year, with water for the Peak Forest and Macclesfield being supplied from three other reservoirs in the group.
- Harthill has been emptied and will remain so throughout 2023 to facilitate the spillway replacement works. The adjacent Pebley is available to support Chesterfield.
- While the works at Barrowford have extended into 2023, the intention is to be able to partly re-fill the reservoir during summer 2023 to support the Leeds & Liverpool, ahead of the full reservoir work being complete for use into next year. There are masonry repair works at Winterburn, which is the main source for the Leeds & Liverpool, but these are planned well into the end of the season using the natural drawdown to make best use of the stored water.
- A drawdown at Wilstone is planned for late in the season to avoid affecting the Grand Union. Works will commence much sooner for Startopsend which also feeds the Grand Union, as they have to be completed this Autumn.
- Works at Belvide to carry out regular wave wall masonry repairs are planned to avoid impacting the Shropshire Union and the RSPB reserve.
- Sparth will be lowered for maintenance repair of the wave wall late in the season to minimise the impact on the Huddersfield Narrow. Slaithwaite will be low throughout the year, which will have an impact on the Huddersfield Narrow.
Please check this page for further details of how these works may affect cruising, and to see where water-saving restrictions are in place.
