Carsington Water

Carsington Water Follow-up Assessment

Introduction:

Carsington is the source of extra water supplies for 3 million people in three surrounding counties. It's a purpose-built reservoir that has increased our water storage capacity by 10%, to help meet growing demand in the East Midlands well into the 21st century.

Although some water flows into Carsington from nearby streams, most is of it pumped in from the River Derwent where its water level is high. It's taken out through a pumping station and travels along a 10.5km aqueduct, then enters the reservoir through the Control Tower.

As England's ninth largest reservoir, Carsington can hold 35,412 megalitres (or up to 7.8 billion gallons), enough to keep one person in water for over 500,000 years.

The dam plans began in the 1960s, the go-ahead wasn't given until 1979, and part of the original dam collapsed in 1984. It was levelled to its foundations, and work on the new design started in 1989.

The valley has been occupied since around 2000 BC. A Bronze Age burial mound was discovered near the Visitor Centre, and excavations in 1986 turned up human remains, flint knives, scrapers and pollen samples.

The reason the reservoir was built in Carsington was that the river Derwent was very close which provided large amounts of continuous flowing water. Another reason was that the contour line chosen disrupted only a small amount of a person’s property. Also Carsington supplies the Middle East with water which over previous years was running slightly dry.

Hopefully this essay should bring a better understanding of Carsington reservoir and it properties.

Site Location Map of Carsington

1.The 40 trees in "Queens Wood" were planted in 1992 to commemorate the 40th year of Her Majesty's reign.

2.Sheepwash car park is named after a nearby point where a stream was dammed, creating a pool in which sheep would have been washed before shearing.

3. The two-storey brick tower was built during the Second World War for observing bombing practice; the remains of a target and the heads of several practice bombs have been discovered during excavations.

4. The Wildlife Centre is an excellent place for birdwatching and for finding out how Carsington's countryside is managed. The weight of the turf-covered roof holds the building together, without any need for screws or nails; it also provides insulation and helps the centre blend into the countryside.

5. The grassed area between the Visitor Centre and the southern car park is called "Thistley Hollow", the original name of a nearby field.

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A time capsule was buried on 19th September 1991. In the reservoir floor near to the Control Tower; unlikely to be discovered for hundreds of years, the capsule's contents include newspaper cuttings, children's drawings, a letter to the eventual finder and a pair of Janet Reger knickers made in nearby Wirksworth.

7. 'The Reservoir Tree' is a piece of landscape sculpture that was created for large birds such as herons and ospreys. The branches form a ...

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5. The grassed area between the Visitor Centre and the southern car park is called "Thistley Hollow", the original name of a nearby field.

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7. 'The Reservoir Tree' is a piece of landscape sculpture that was created for large birds such as herons and ospreys. The branches form a large platform for roosting and nesting; a bird box allows smaller birds to nest here; and a planted hazel sapling will provide food for the birds and eventually take over from the sculpture

8. The small shelter was built with materials rescued from agricultural buildings that would have been flooded by the reservoir. The two farms that were demolished, Upper Hays and Lower Hays, were both situated near to the Control Tower.

Part 1:The environmental Impact of Carsington Reservoir

How has the building of the reservoir changed the landscape?

By looking at close fields and nearby farmland it seems that the bottom of the reservoir would have been hilly, full of small woods or forests, farmer’s land and a very boggy piece of greenery.

Now it seems that all has been covered up by billions of gallons of water to benefit the county.

It also seems that in the place it has been positioned the reservoir is not noticeable from a distance because of the large hills and wide valleys.

The view of the reservoir has definitely changed the landscape dramatically, but not in a bad sense. It makes the surrounds of the reservoir look more lush and green and highlights the beauty of the countryside.

The bottom of the reservoir used to be a large farmland with a poor amount of successful crops growing.

The glitter of the large lake lights up all of the surroundings and makes the country seem bigger than it is.

The decision that Severn Trent Water had been surely a hard one but benefited the residence, view and the country.

How have Severn Trent tried to reduce the environmental impact?

The acts that Severn Trent Water has implied, are of many. They have built a variety of supportive wildlife shelters/homes like the many bird boxes around the reservoir, use of ‘dead hedging’, man made islands, turn rafts and the plantation of half a million trees. All of which have attracted many species of wildlife, but unfortunately not attracting the rare species which Severn Trent are working hard for.

Though Sand Martins were attracted to Carsington by large hills of earth, which Severn Trent created, it fell apart soon after the construction and little has been seen of them.

Fish like Pike, Rub, Chubb and Llearch have all appeared in the Carsington Reservoir, which has been great news for the Severn Trent and the fishermen.

Out of all of what I have seen of Carsington I think that the landscape has only been improved greatly by the increase in trees; rather than open, boggy fields; the man made islands that really make the reservoir look a lot more interesting and the limestone used in the dam which makes the dam look much more natural.

The reservoir suits the landscape well and would be near impossible to tell that the reservoir was man made. It also makes the surrounds looks bigger than they actually are, make the valley seem extremely large in size and makes the small hamlets look tiny but bold.

The reservoir now, helps and provides pleasure for the locals and other and also provides homes for the wildlife which I think is more than what a empty, boggy farmland could do.

Part 2: Tourism at Carsington Reservoir

How has Severn Trent Water attracted visitors to Carsington?

So far Severn Trent have attracted many visitors to the reservoir by the huge amount of facilities and sports activities.

Things like Bird Watching, Hides and Clubs, encourage enthusiasts, young and old, to come to the reservoir, maybe weekly and spend out on food and other items. The hides and clubs are also educating the visitors about the birds and how to protect some of the really rare kind.

The Reservoir has plenty of Water Sports like Wind Surfing, Canoeing, Water Skiing, Yachting and more. This brings a different type of audience to the reservoir, which boosts the amount of visitors dramatically as the reservoir aims at all ages.

While holding annual sporting events, the tourism around Carsington rises nearly instantly.

The Visitors Centre was built along with the dam to tell people the uses of the reservoir and the way in which Severn Trent helps England. Along with a café and shops, the visitors centre is the perfect harbouring point for all people and gives the people a ‘rest’ with fairly high prices.

The ‘Go with the Flow’ exhibition attempts to entertain the children of families while educating them about saving water etc.

Cycling and Walking in Carsington is known to be the best. The tracks around the reservoir are very popular among keen walkers and are quite challenging for the cyclists. The tracks go around all the well-prepared scenery, ‘showing off’ the work that Severn Trent have done.

The tracks are well known for their view, clear signs and wildlife which easily make the walkers/cycle’s more excited.

The tracks takes the walkers/cycle’s quite far and wears them out a bit which pushes them to buy something from the Centre.

It is also possible to hire bikes from the Visitors Centre if you don’t have your own or just can’t bring yours with you. This can be the perfect time to explore with family and your friends.

Severn Trent have tried hard with Conservation areas which attract visitors to see the rare species. Even though little rare wildlife can be seen in Carsington the wildlife they have there is spectacular.

Parking Space, it may seem funny but a lot of parking space is a serious matter. People will not wait for minutes to get a space they will just drive off, especially if they are not sure if the place will be so good anyway.

The Fishing Club in Carsington is the best in the County and there is a huge waiting list to join the club. The Reservoir has plenty of fish and a large amount of boats. Only the elite fishermen seem to be able to join the club…Carsington is an excellent place to fish.

The Playground out-side the Visitors Centre caters for young children below the age of 10. Parents may leave their children there while they go for walks or just have some tea. It is the perfect baby-sitter.

Apart from the activities to do in Carsington, Severn Trent have planted thousands trees which makes the place look a lot more interesting and upraises the wildlife.

The signs towards Carsington Reservoir on the roads are all brown. This means that Carsington is a place of entertainment, which easily attracts the eye of drivers by.

Why have Severn Trent worked so hard to attract visitors to Carsington

It seems to that Severn Trent want to attract visitors for money, which would help Severn Trent on loads of things like, more trees and shrubs, larger visitors centre, more variety of shops, bigger park etc or just maintaining the reservoir or other Severn Trent structures.

But money from the clubs, car parks, visitors centre and shops all help the company basically staying alive.

The Severn Trent tries to bring people to the reservoir to educate them also. About how to save water and how it is so precious. It tells you how the world wouldn’t exist without it and if you waste it you will kill the planet. Stuff like that really shocks you and really makes your think.

The way they attempt to educate the children in the ‘Go with the Flow’ exhibition is quite poor, as none of the activities there are ‘hands on’ and young and old children would find it boring. But the adults would spend some of the time there and read the boards.

While they are educating the people about how to save water it helps Severn Trent as the company doesn’t have to splash out more on cleaning the water and making more supply points as the people know how to help the environment and how to keep the reservoirs wet.

The Nature Clubs and groups educate the people very well, making the trip exciting and factual. The children really work well with animals and teaching them how to keep them living is something everyone would do with pleasure.

Apart from the education and money side of Carsington they are as well promoting Severn Trent telling people that they are not the bad guys for turning a field to a reservoir. It boosts the fame for the company and make the public more aware of Severn’s presence.