| Grid Reference NZ010525 | Co-ordinates: 54.866, -1.983 |
Derwent Reservoir
Derwent Reservoir is the largest body of water in the North Pennines. Not to be confused with it's Peak District namesake, the reservoir is 3.5 miles (5.6km) long and holds 11,000,000,000 gallons (50,000,000,000,000) litres of water and is one of the main suppliers of water to the north-east of England, being managed by Northumbrian Water.
Derwent Reservoir is the largest body of water in the North Pennines. Not to be confused with it's Peak District namesake, the reservoir is 3.5 miles (5.6km) long and holds 11,000,000,000 gallons (50,000,000,000,000) litres of water and is one of the main suppliers of water to the north-east of England, being managed by Northumbrian Water.
 | Work
began on the reservoir in 1960 and it was opened in 1967 by Princess
Alexandra. Unlike other reservoirs which were built by flooding
valleys Derwent Reservoir was dug out with the spoil being used to
build the dam. Historic mining in the area has caused elevated levels of zinc, lead and cadnium to accumulate in the sediment which has resulted in relatively low levels of macroscopic plants but the levels do not exceed the safe limits. There is a sailing club on the reservoir where sailing, wind-surfing and triathlons are held throughout the year. The Tour of the Reservoir is an annual bicycle race that takes place on the roads around the reservoir. Derwent Reservoir straddles Northumberland and Co. Durham and is not far from the villages of Blanchland and Edmundbyers. Also nearby is the town of Consett. Another view of Derwent Reservoir |