Aldenham Reservoir
Aldenham Reservoir is situated in the parish of Elstree and Borehamwood in Hertfordshire, England, about one mile (1.6 km) to the west of the village of Elstree.
| Aldenham Reservoir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Hertfordshire |
| Coordinates | 51°38′45″N 0°18′40″W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 55 acres (220,000 m2) |
It is the source of the stream, Tykes Water, that runs north through Radlett.
History
It was built between 1795 and 1797 by the Grand Junction Canal Company, to control the water levels in the River Colne following the construction of the Grand Junction Canal, and was hand dug by French prisoners of war.[1][2]
The dam has proved to be an unstable structure. Originally, the reservoir was 65 acres (260,000 m2) in extent, but following repairs to the dam its surface area was reduced to 55 acres (220,000 m2).
Since 1973 the reservoir has no longer been required for drinking water.
Access
The reservoir has been used for recreational purposes, including fishing and sailing. However, following an inspection of the dam in 2019, the current owners dropped the water level to reduce pressure on the structure. This raised questions about the future use of the reservoir.[3] There have also been suggestions that public access will be reduced with the reservoir fenced off from Aldenham Country Park.
See also
Nearby is the much larger Hilfield Park Reservoir, a nature reserve owned by Affinity Water.
References
- Hertsmere Borough Council: tourism and travel
- Herts Direct: Borehamwood Plateau: Physical Influences: Hydrology
- Louis, Nathan (March 2020). "Water level at Aldenham Reservoir drops". Watford Observer.