Reservoirs: Carsington Water
Water supply reservoirs are a major feature of the Peak District landscape. Most are in the Dark Peak area where the narrow, deeply incised valleys and shale bedrock are ideal for impounding water. However, the most recently built reservoir lies immediately south of the main limestone outcrop at Carsington. It opened in 1992 and stores water pumped from the River Derwent at times of high rainfall, returning it to the river in periods of low flow. This ensures that there are always sufficient volumes of water available in the river for extraction and treatment downstream. A thick shale sequence (the Edale Shale) forms the impermeable bedrock on which Carsington Water is sited.
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Although this shale is ideal for retaining the water stored in the reservoir, conditions which prevailed during the last Ice Age softened and weakened this rock when it was near the surface. This resulted in the partial collapse of the dam wall when it was being constructed in 1984. These weak clays were removed prior to the complete reconstruction of the dam in the late 1980s.
As well as acting as a water reservoir, Carsington Water also provides a valuable wetland habitat and opportunities for recreational and educational activities. The water attracts a variety of wildlife and there are facilities for a range of outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, fishing and range of water sports.
Click here for more information on biodiversity in and around Carsington Water and other reservoirs
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