Facts and Figures

Why was Carsington Water built?

The reservoir provides water for three million people in Derbyshire, Nottingham and Leicestershire.  It has increased Severn Trent Water’s storage capacity by 10% and helps meet growing demands for water in the East Midlands.

Why here?

Ideal reservoir sites should have a ring of hills to reduce the amount of dam building required and clay soil to prevent seepage and provide building materials.  Seven sites were considered and two public enquiries were held before the Government approved Carsington Water.  Although not the easiest place to build a dam, less disruption to the local community and availability of raw materials were key factors in selecting this site.

What was here before?

The land was used for farming and only two farm buildings had to be demolished to make way for the reservoir.

How long did it take to build?

Although planning started in the 1960s, the final go-ahead wasn’t given until 1979.  Work was at an advanced stage when part of the original dam collapsed in June 1984.  The dam was then levelled and work on a new design started in February 1989.  Construction was finished in Autumn 1991 and the first water entered the reservoir in October of that year.  The reservoir and Visitor Centre were opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 22 May 1992.

Where does the water come from?

Most of the water is pumped from the River Derwent when the river level is high.  The water is taken out at Ambergate Pumping Station and flows along a 10.5km (6.5 mile) aqueduct before entering the reservoir via the Control Tower.

How much water does the reservoir supply?

Carsington Water is the ninth largest reservoir in England and at its highest level can hold 35,412 megalitres or 7,800 million gallons of water (enough to fill both the Upper Derwent and Ladybower reservoirs or to keep one person supplied with water for over 500,000 years!)

How deep is the reservoir?

When full, the reservoir is 31m deep – the height of seven double decker buses!

…and how big?

At maximum capacity the reservoir is 300 hectares (741 acres).  700 football pitches could fit on the surface!

How much water can the reservoir hold?

Carsington Water can supply up to 206 megalitres a day.  This is almost one third of all the water needed by the population of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire each day.

What habitats can I find at Carsington Water?

Carsington Water boasts a range of wildlife habitats from ancient hedgerows, species rich wildflower meadows and native woodlands to ponds and scrapes, reed beds and carefully managed islands.

Since the reservoir was constructed, there have been over 215 species of bird recorded visiting the site (many of which are rare sightings for Derbyshire and even England) plus over 60 species have bred successfully on site.

Over 30 species of mammal have been recorded on site including harvest mice, water shrew, water vole, red deer, whiskered bat and evidence of visiting otters.

Due to careful creation, management and monitoring of conservation areas by the Ranger and Volunteer Ranger teams and partnership organisations, water vole and tree sparrow populations have flourished on site, despite numbers declining nationally.

Over 300 ‘homes’ have been constructed for wildlife including barn owl and other bird nest boxes, otter holts and bat hibernation boxes, many of which have been occupied and helped increase species numbers on site.

During the summer months, the meadows are illuminated with wildflowers such as bee orchids, yellow-rattle, buttercup and meadow vetchling which attract a host of insects such as butterflies, hoverflies and bees.

Visitors can enjoy the wildlife and different habitats through all seasons by walking, cycling or riding the circular route around the reservoir. Spot birds from the bird hides and the Wildlife Centre or learn more through the various events that are hosted on site. For more detail about conservation at Carsington Water, please download the pdf.

For further information please contact the Visitor Centre by telephoning 01629 540696.