Carsington Reservoir

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Carsington Reservoir
a misty day
Location	Derbyshire
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	tunnel/aqueduct from River Derwent
Primary outflows	River Derwent
Basin countries	United Kingdom
Water volume	35,412 megalitres

Carsington Reservoir is a reservoir operated by Severn Trent Water in Derbyshire, England. The reservoir takes water from the River Derwent at Ambergate during winter months, pumping up to the reservoir by 10.5 km long tunnels and aqueduct. Water is released back into the river during summer months for water abstraction and treatment further downstream. It is England's ninth largest reservoir with a capacity of 35,412 megalitres.

Planning for the reservoir started in the 1960s with actual construction starting in 1979. In 1984 there was a partial collapse of the dam prior to its filling. The dam was subsequently completely removed before construction of a new dam commenced in 1989. The finished reservoir was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.

The reservoir is a major centre of leisure activities including walking, cycling, birdwatching, sailing and windsurfing. The land surrounding the reservoir, in particular the facilities around the visitor centre, have played host to events including a music festival, the Festival of the Peak.

The birds include Little Owl, Little Grebe, Feral Barnacle Geese, Oystercatcher, Common Tern and breeding Redshanks, which can be viewed on Sundays and Tuesdays during the RSPB's 'Aren't Birds Brilliant!' event days.

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