Chasewater
Encyclopedia
Chasewater is a 3-square-kilometre reservoir in the parish of Burntwood
, in the district of Lichfield
, Staffordshire
, England. Originally known as Norton Pool, it was created as a canal feeder reservoir in the 18th Century and remains the largest in use in the region today.
. Work started soon to rebuild the dam which re-opened on 2 January 1800 to supply water to the Wyrley & Essington Canal, and it quickly became a profit-centre for the canal company, selling water to other canals in the area. The canal was bought by the Birmingham Canal Navigations
in 1840.
Legislation to close the canal was enacted in 1954. However, much of it remained in use as a feeder from the reservoir to the rest of the BCN system. The reservoir became known as Norton Pool. Brownhills Urban District Council purchased Norton Pool in 1956 for £5,600 which was for a total area of 272 acres (1 km²) and 2 cottages, from the British Transport Commission
and renamed it Chasewater, after nearby Cannock Chase
.
There is a smaller body of water known locally as Jeffrey's Swag that drains into the main body of Chasewater. The two are separated by a causeway carrying the Chasewater Railway
.
When, in 1974, the West Midlands county was created from parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, the new Staffordshire-West Midlands border cut though the reservoir, running South-East from near Jeffrey's Swag to near the mid-point, then turning an approximate right-angle to the North-East. In around 1994, the western/southern shores of Chasewater, plus Jeffreys Swag, were 'moved' from the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall
, then the west Midlands, back into Staffordshire. The West Midland Bird Club, who maintain the official county bird
lists for both counties, counted sightings at Chasewater as being in Staffordshire, throughout this period.
The surrounding area is designated as a country park. The reservoir hosts a variety of activities including water skiing
, sailing, angling and bird watching. Running around Chasewater is the Chasewater Railway
.
The large house situated half way along the dam wall was originally the weirmaster's cottage. The weirmaster would walk up to the small hexagonal building, constructed to the same design as BCN tollhouses, and operate the weir to release water from Chasewater reservoir into the canal. The weir is now computer controlled and the house is owned and lived in by the Downs family.
The road over the dam had to be closed to through traffic when it was feared that the eighteenth century structure might be unable to cope with both the volume of water and heavy vehicles. Given the need to retain traditional water levels in the reservoir for both sailing and canal use, dropping the level of the water behind the dam was not deemed feasible. Subsequently the construction of the M6 Toll
between the reservoir and the A5 required the construction of a new bridge over the motorway to access the southern side of the lake, where an Innovation Centre provides enhanced access to the waterfront. Selling land for motorway construction also allowed the Chasewater Railway
to construct new premises and a large engine shed on the lake side.
has expressed concern that the interruption in the supply of water to the BCN may lead to water shortages and restrictions to boating.
When it was emptied, two World War II
-era bombs were discovered on the newly exposed reservoir bed. They were determined to be inert and later removed.
Burntwood
Burntwood is a town in Staffordshire, England, lying in the Cannock Chase area approximately west of Lichfield. The town had a population of 25,674 at the time of the 2001 census and forms part of Lichfield district. The town forms one of the largest urbanised parishes in England. Samuel Johnson...
, in the district of Lichfield
Lichfield (district)
Lichfield is a local government district in Staffordshire, England. It is administered by Lichfield District Council, based in Lichfield.The dignity and privileges of the City of Lichfield are vested in the parish council of the 14 km² Lichfield civil parish...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England. Originally known as Norton Pool, it was created as a canal feeder reservoir in the 18th Century and remains the largest in use in the region today.
History
Work on building the reservoir started in 1796 and it was opened on 8 May 1797. In May 1799 the eastern dam burst, sending millions of gallons of water down the valley towards ShenstoneShenstone, Staffordshire
Shenstone is a village and civil parish in Staffordshire, England, close to Stonnall and between Lichfield and Birmingham. In a recent survey Shenstone was found to be one of the ten worst places in England for finding single women....
. Work started soon to rebuild the dam which re-opened on 2 January 1800 to supply water to the Wyrley & Essington Canal, and it quickly became a profit-centre for the canal company, selling water to other canals in the area. The canal was bought by the Birmingham Canal Navigations
Birmingham Canal Navigations
Birmingham Canal Navigations is a network of navigable canals connecting Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and the eastern part of the Black Country...
in 1840.
Legislation to close the canal was enacted in 1954. However, much of it remained in use as a feeder from the reservoir to the rest of the BCN system. The reservoir became known as Norton Pool. Brownhills Urban District Council purchased Norton Pool in 1956 for £5,600 which was for a total area of 272 acres (1 km²) and 2 cottages, from the British Transport Commission
British Transport Commission
The British Transport Commission was created by Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government as a part of its nationalisation programme, to oversee railways, canals and road freight transport in Great Britain...
and renamed it Chasewater, after nearby Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase
Cannock Chase is a mixed area of countryside in the county of Staffordshire, England. The area has been designated as the Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chase gives its name to the Cannock Chase local government district....
.
There is a smaller body of water known locally as Jeffrey's Swag that drains into the main body of Chasewater. The two are separated by a causeway carrying the Chasewater Railway
Chasewater Railway
The Chasewater Railway is a former colliery railway running round the shores of Chasewater in Staffordshire, England. It is now operated as a heritage railway.The line is approximately two miles in length, contained entirely within Chasewater Country Park...
.
When, in 1974, the West Midlands county was created from parts of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, the new Staffordshire-West Midlands border cut though the reservoir, running South-East from near Jeffrey's Swag to near the mid-point, then turning an approximate right-angle to the North-East. In around 1994, the western/southern shores of Chasewater, plus Jeffreys Swag, were 'moved' from the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall
Metropolitan Borough of Walsall
The Metropolitan Borough of Walsall is a local government district in the Black Country part of the West Midlands, England, with the status of a metropolitan borough. It is named after its largest settlement, Walsall, but covers a larger area which also includes the towns of Aldridge, Brownhills,...
, then the west Midlands, back into Staffordshire. The West Midland Bird Club, who maintain the official county bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
lists for both counties, counted sightings at Chasewater as being in Staffordshire, throughout this period.
Flora and fauna
The Chasewater habitat supports several rare plant and animal species including:- Floating Water-plantainLuroniumLuronium natans is a species of aquatic plant commonly known as the Floating Water-plantain.-Description:Stems elongated, rising in the water or creeping and rooting at the nodes. Submerged leaves basal, linear; floating or aerial leaves elliptical to ovate. Flowers hermaphrodite, long-pedunculate...
(Luronium natans) - Round-leaved WintergreenPyrola rotundifoliaPyrola rotundifolia or Round-leaved Wintergreen is a plant species of the genus Pyrola. It is found in the Northeastern United States, as Pyrola americana var. rotundifolia.-External links:*...
(Pyrola rotundifolia) - the carnivorousCarnivorous plantCarnivorous plants are plants that derive some or most of their nutrients from trapping and consuming animals or protozoans, typically insects and other arthropods. Carnivorous plants appear adapted to grow in places where the soil is thin or poor in nutrients, especially nitrogen, such as acidic...
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifoliaDrosera rotundifolia is a species of sundew, a carnivorous plant often found in bogs, marshes and fens...
(Drosera rotundifolia) - Adder’s tongueErythroniumErythronium is a genus of 20-30 species of spring-flowering perennial plants with long, tooth-like bulbs and attractive pendant flowers, native to forest and meadow in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.-Species:-Uses:The bulb is edible as a root vegetable, cooked or dried, and can be...
(Erythronium) - Black spleenwortAsplenium adiantum-nigrumAsplenium adiantum-nigrum is a common species of fern known by the common name black spleenwort. It is found mostly in Africa, Europe, and and Eurasia, but is also native to a few locales in Mexico and the US.-Description:...
(Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) - Goldeneye DuckGoldeneye (duck)Goldeneye are small tree-hole nesting northern hemisphere seaducks belonging to the genus Bucephala. Their plumage is black and white, and they eat fish, crustaceans and other marine life....
(Bucephala) - Tufted DuckTufted DuckThe Tufted Duck, Aythya fuligula, is a medium-sized diving duck with a population of close to one million birds.- Description :The adult male is all black except for white flanks and a blue-grey bill. It has an obvious head tuft that gives the species its name.The adult female is brown with paler...
(Aythya fuligula)
Today
Chasewater Watersports Centre
Chasewater Watersports Centre is located within the surroundings of Chasewater Country Park and use Chasewater reservoir for watersports. The chasewater ski club offer activities such as Water skiing, Wakeboarding, Slalom skiing and Kneeboarding all year round....
, sailing, angling and bird watching. Running around Chasewater is the Chasewater Railway
Chasewater Railway
The Chasewater Railway is a former colliery railway running round the shores of Chasewater in Staffordshire, England. It is now operated as a heritage railway.The line is approximately two miles in length, contained entirely within Chasewater Country Park...
.
The large house situated half way along the dam wall was originally the weirmaster's cottage. The weirmaster would walk up to the small hexagonal building, constructed to the same design as BCN tollhouses, and operate the weir to release water from Chasewater reservoir into the canal. The weir is now computer controlled and the house is owned and lived in by the Downs family.
The road over the dam had to be closed to through traffic when it was feared that the eighteenth century structure might be unable to cope with both the volume of water and heavy vehicles. Given the need to retain traditional water levels in the reservoir for both sailing and canal use, dropping the level of the water behind the dam was not deemed feasible. Subsequently the construction of the M6 Toll
M6 Toll
The M6 Toll , connects M6 Junction 4 at the NEC to M6 Junction 11A at Wolverhampton with of six-lane motorway. The weekday cash cost is £5.30 for a car and £10.60 for a HGV...
between the reservoir and the A5 required the construction of a new bridge over the motorway to access the southern side of the lake, where an Innovation Centre provides enhanced access to the waterfront. Selling land for motorway construction also allowed the Chasewater Railway
Chasewater Railway
The Chasewater Railway is a former colliery railway running round the shores of Chasewater in Staffordshire, England. It is now operated as a heritage railway.The line is approximately two miles in length, contained entirely within Chasewater Country Park...
to construct new premises and a large engine shed on the lake side.
Dam repair
Chasewater is currently empty as the reservoir has been drained to allow engineers access to the dam, which is in need of repairs. It is projected that the £3 million repairs will commence in late December 2010, ending in 2011, followed by a further three years for the reservoir to be completely refilled. British WaterwaysBritish Waterways
British Waterways is a statutory corporation wholly owned by the government of the United Kingdom, serving as the navigation authority in England, Scotland and Wales for the vast majority of the canals as well as a number of rivers and docks...
has expressed concern that the interruption in the supply of water to the BCN may lead to water shortages and restrictions to boating.
When it was emptied, two World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era bombs were discovered on the newly exposed reservoir bed. They were determined to be inert and later removed.
See also
- Canals of the United KingdomCanals of the United KingdomThe canals of the United Kingdom are a major part of the network of inland waterways in the United Kingdom. They have a colourful history, from use for irrigation and transport, through becoming the focus of the Industrial Revolution, to today's role for recreational boating...
- History of the British canal systemHistory of the British canal systemThe British canal system of water transport played a vital role in the United Kingdom's Industrial Revolution at a time when roads were only just emerging from the medieval mud and long trains of pack horses were the only means of "mass" transit by road of raw materials and finished products The...