Water supply to the BCN

Sunday, 27 December 2009 09:00

Water supply or recreation?

I have already mentioned Lodge Farm Reservoir, otherwise known as Netherton Reservoir in a previous blog. Briefly, it was once a clay pit and converted to a water supply for the Dudley No. 2 Canal via a feeder. It is now a recreational centre for diving yachting and water skiing.

We have now "experienced" another of the BCN reservoirs! This one is not accessible from the canal but separated by an impregnable green fence on the top of an embankment above the Icknield Port Loop.

Icknield Port from the reservoir dam walk

The name of this body of water? It was once known as Rotton Park Reservoir, but it know more commonly called Edgbaston Reservoir.

Here comes the history bit!

The reservoir was built by Thomas Telford in 1824 - 9, originally by damming a small stream that comes from Titford, in Oldbury. He started with a small fish stock pool - known as Roach Pool!

It was excavated to 40 feet and covers 80 acres - so it is quite large! The sky was darkening when we visited, but the yachts were out! Not a scene Thomas Telford would have envisaged I think!

Edgbaston Reservoir

Some of the old equipment and associated buildings still remain

Sluice gear

Sluice building down by canal

The reservoir is now used extensively for leisure - two rowing clubs, the sailing club, the Sea Cadets and a schools rowing "initiative" make sure there is plenty of activity for the walkers to watch.

Storyboard

Wildlife and fish abound and there are extensive walks around the reservoir.

Looking back to the centre of Birmingham from the dam walk, we could work out where we are moored!

To the right of the BT tower!