King George V Reservoir
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| King George V Reservoir | |
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| Location | London Borough of Enfield |
| Coordinates | |
| Lake type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 170 ha (420 acres) |
| Max. depth | 7.5 m |
| Water volume | 12492 ml |
The King George V Reservoir is located in London Borough of Enfield and is part of Lee Valley Reservoir Chain that supply London with drinking water. The storage reservoir is bordered by Sewardstone and Chingford to the east and Brimsdown and Ponders End to the west and covering 420 acres (170 hectares), the largest in London.[1] Together with the William Girling Reservoir they are known collectively as the Chingford Reservoirs. The reservoir is owned and managed by Thames Water
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[edit] History
The reservoir was conceived as part of an overall plan for the Lee Valley and was laid before the Royal Commission on Water Supply (Balfour Committee) in 1893. At this time the responsible authority was the East London Waterworks Company. However, under the Provisions of the Metropolis Water Act of 1902, the undertakings of this as well as seven other companies was transferred to the Metropolitan Water Board.
Construction was started in 1908 and completed in 1912. The reservoir was opened by H.M King George V in 1913 hence the name.
[edit] Description
The reservoir was formed by the construction of a continuous embankment on the floodplain of the River Lea at Chingford. It is divided into two compartments by an earth embankment that are connected by three large diameter culverts. The external grassed embankment consists of a central puddle clay core with shoulder filling comprising a mixture of river terraced gravels and alluvial deposits.
Located in the NW corner is the original inlet pumping station by W.B. Bryan and finished in red brick and Portland stone. Still in situ are three of the five gas turbine pumps designed by H.A. Humphrey. In 1970 these were made redundant by the installation of a vertical spindle electric pump.[2]
[edit] Ecology
The water is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[3] The reservoir is a major wintering ground for wildfowl and wetland birds and include nationally important numbers of some species. The water also form a moult refuge to a large population of wildfowl during the late summer months. A total of 85 wetland species have been recorded here in recent years.
[edit] Recreation
The reservoir is popular with birdwatchers,[4] and is home to the King George Sailing Club. Permits are required to visit water.
[edit] Water supply
Water is supplied to the reservoir from the New River and the River Lee Diversion.[5]
[edit] Access
Vehicular access is at Lea Valley Road A110
- London Buses route 313
[edit] Literature
- A Poacher's Tale. Told by A.T.Curtis. Related by Fred J Speakman. Several references to reservoir. ISBN 0713509694. Published 1960 by George Bell & Sons
- An Edmonton Boy By Terry Webb. Reference to reservoir Page 36. ISBN 190398100X.Published 2000 by Biograph.
[edit] References
- ^ The Buildings of England London 4: North pp 441 ISBN 0-14071048-3 Retrieved December 21, 2007
- ^ Smith. D Civil Engineering Heritage 2001 pp 69.70 ISBN 0727728768 Retrieved December 22, 2007
- ^ English Nature Retrieved December 21, 2007
- ^ Thames WaterRetrieved December 21, 2007
- ^ pp3 Reservoir information Retrieved December 21, 2007
[edit] External links
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