Opening the valves to Chasewater’s dam
Published on Monday, 1st February 2010
One billion gallons of water will drain out of Chasewater’s reservoir, to allow essential safety improvements to the reservoir to take place.
A team of reservoir experts and representatives from Lichfield District Council have today (Monday 1 February 2010) opened the valves, to allow around one billion gallons of water to drain out of Chasewater reservoir.
The reservoir is being drained in preparation for a major programme of safety improvements to Chasewater's eastern dam. These works will make sure the dam remains safe for years to come.
Now that the valves are open, the water will flow into the Anglesey Branch Canal and then into Crane Brook - which will join the River Tame in Fazeley.
Visitors to Chasewater will notice that the reservoir's water level will drop dramatically over the coming months. As the water level goes down, it will expose the muddy reservoir bed, which visitors are being warned not to go near for fear of soft, deep mud and silt.
This is why the district council is putting up temporary information panels across Chasewater. These will warn about the dangers, explain what the works involve, and how long they are expected to take.
While the works take place, visitors are asked to:
- stay on marked footpaths
- keep children and dogs under close supervision, away from the reservoir bed
- not walk on the exposed reservoir bed at any time
Councillor Val Richards, Lichfield District Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure Services, said: "Opening the valves to drain the reservoir signifies the start of a major programme of safety improvements. Getting to this stage is the culmination of a lot of hard work, and it is good to finally get started on these works as it is essential that we make sure the dam meets current safety standards, making it safe for years to come.
"It is very important that visitors follow our safety advice. However, I would like to stress that Chasewater Country Park will be open as usual. Visitors can still enjoy the surrounding countryside and facilities, including the heritage railway and Innovation Centre."
The works cannot begin until the water level has been lowered. The works will take around seven months to complete and should be finished by the end of the year. The council expects to start refilling the reservoir in September. However, it could take between two and four years to refill it to its normal level, as it will depend upon rainfall levels and the amount of water the local canal network needs.
"I would like to extend our gratitude to the clubs that use Chasewater reservoir for their understanding and patience during these works," continued Cllr Richards.
To keep up to date on the works and to watch the progress of the water levels dropping captured by a 'Dam Cam' visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/chasewaterdamblog
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There are 16 responses to “Opening the valves to Chasewater’s dam”
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It's amazing to think that water from Chasewater will flow via the Tame, into the Trent, and thence to the Humber and into the North Sea.
what secrets will be exposed under the murky waters of chasewater the odd car sunken boat or even ww2 bombs i might even find a couple of my dogs toys lost over the years its going to be wiered to see the place empty of water so will we just call it chase for a few years
i would just like to ask if all the water is being drained out and what will happen to chasewater sailing club ?
The lowering of the water will have a significant impact on clubs that use the reservoir, and we've been working with them to see what help and support we can provide.
For further details, we would encourage members of the clubs and interested parties to speak to the club management teams.
is this the reason why the fields down pouk lane hilton , are flooding ? if so how much more will it flood ?as it is geting very close to peoples properties.
I would also like to say what is going to happened to the clubs on chasewater? The canal network should not be allowed to draw any water off till the resevoir is back to its normal level. My son and a lot of my friends children who all live in the Burntwood area and attend ski lessons at the ski club every Saturday morning, how are these clubs going to survive?
Don't forget, Tom, that the reservoir was originally built to supply the canals - and canal users, events, organistions and canal-related businesses will be suffering just as much during this problem.
I would like to know what is happening to the Sailing Club? I have been sailing for over 30 yrs and nothing like this has happened before. Members are still paying their fees and the council does not appear to be helping or advising them. Will the club fold up due to this? The council has a lot to answer for in their lack of communication and why should the tax payer have to pay for it as well?
Thanks to Kevin for pointing out that the reservoir feeds the local canal system. I live on a narrowboat at a residential mooring and I, and many others, are at risk of being grounded if the water levels drop too much. We understand the problem and are willing to put up with some inconvenience due to the need to repair the dam.
Kevin yes you are right that the reservoir was built to feed the canal network. but am i right in thinking that brtish waterways are not pay anything to the cost repairing the dam? i know all the clubs on the reservoir pay to be there and myself as a paying Burntwood tax payer think that no more water should be taken off till the water returns to the normal level so all the clubs can use the water again. or shall we just let the clubs fold? lets look after the paying tax payers in our area !
I read from the local papers that lichfield council have got to borrow the money to pay for repairs which will be recovered in our taxs. Surely those that need the water should be paying some of the cost. As a local resident i am prepared to pay my bit to keep this beutifull place kept safe.
explain to me what fish are being left to die in lasoons in the lake bed haveing watched the effot friday last of so called nettins on pike was caugh returned from the dam erea please let us not have the fish kill lake what happend exmas time in the outflow due nobody . knowing wat they are doing i contacted enviremental aseny but to late the powens that be shut the sluce trapping millons of first without water , no oxyhen they drowned this was a criminalnal wast of life and future stock do not let this happen with the main lake
no fish_no birds
Thanks everyone for your comments. We're hosting more detailed conversation on the Chasewater Dam Blog at http://www2.lichfielddc.gov.uk/chasewaterdam/ - This blog is monitored more closely, so you will get a quicker response to any concerns. Thanks.
it was great to see the recorvery of a lost boat in chase water hope a home can be found for it before the it get destroyed by local kids
In the mid 50's I was a member of the Walsall Sea Cadets and I remember a day out at Chasewater to recover a rowing boat that had sunk. It was as I remember a very wet day and after several attempts to get this boat ashore with the aid of a lorry and winch the project was abandoned. Could this be the same boat ?.
I am angered by the way the fish in Chasewater heve been treated, they have had their enviroment dramatically drecrease at a time when they would be spawning and a lot of yearling fish have been sucked down the pipe and trapped in there to gasp for air while british waterways open and close the valve. As someone who has lived by Chasewater for over forty years and spent many a good time fishing there I am sadened to think these fish will be lost forever be it by relocation or death.