Netherton Reservoir

Netherton Reservoir
Looking north towards Netherton Hill
Location	Netherton, West Midlands
Coordinates	52°29′05″N 2°05′39″W / 52.4846°N 2.0942°WCoordinates: 52°29′05″N 2°05′39″W / 52.4846°N 2.0942°W
Lake type	reservoir
Primary inflows	Surface runoff
Primary outflows	via culvert to Dudley Canal
Catchment area	60,000 m^2 (650,000 sq ft)
Managing agency	Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Built	1835-38
Max. length	265 m (869 ft)
Max. width	250 m (820 ft)
Surface area	60,000 m^2 (650,000 sq ft)
Average depth	8 m (26 ft)
Max. depth	15 m (49 ft)
Water volume	625,000 m^3 (22,100,000 cu ft)
Shore length^1	0.9 km (0.56 mi)
Surface elevation	138 m (453 ft)
^1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Netherton Reservoir shown within the West Midlands (grid reference SO936874)

Netherton Reservoir - otherwise known as Lodge Farm Reservoir - is a canal feeder reservoir in the Netherton district of Dudley, England. It opened in 1838, and is now used for watersports, as well as supplying water to the canal system.

History

In the vicinity of the reservoir, the Dudley Canal Line No 2 followed a circuitous route, but in the 1830s Thomas Brewin was responsible for building a more direct route. The total length of the new cut, which opened in 1838, was about 400 yards (370 m), which included a 75-yard (69 m) tunnel, known as Brewin's Tunnel. The new route enabled a reservoir to be built over the old course of the canal, together with a steam-powered pumping engine. The tunnel did not last long, as it was opened out in 1858, necessitating the construction of a bridge to carry the lane which had previously crossed over the top of the tunnel.^[1] The bridge is now called High Bridge, and the lane is called Highbridge Road.^[2][3]

The reservoir, which was built between 1835 and 1838, acted as a storage reservoir, so that when water was plentiful, as a result of rain, it could be pumped from the canal into the reservoir, and then released back into the canal through sluices near the tunnel when it was required. The engine was installed in 1840, and drove a scoop wheel. A cottage was provided for the sluice keeper.^[4]

With the nationalisation of the canals in 1948, ownership of the reservoir passed from the Birmingham Canal Navigations, with whom the Dudley Canal had amalgamated in 1846,^[5] to British Waterways. They sold it to Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1966, who wanted to improve the leisure facilities within their area, and have since developed it for watersports,^[4] although it still supplies water to the canal.^[3]

Facilities

The reservoir now hosts watersports including Scuba Diving, yachting and water skiing. The Dudley Water Ski and Yacht Club began as an informal society in 1963, and negotiated with Dudley Council to allow them to use the reservoir for their activities. Changing rooms and a clubhouse were built, and the use of the reservoir was shared with two diving clubs, although they remained independent of the original club. Subsequently, the club became the Dudley Water Sports Centre,^[6] and registered with Companies House as a private limited company in 1997.^[7]

The Dudley Dolphin BSAC diving club began as a group of like-minded divers in 1959. Negotiations with the Water Ski and Yacht Club were not initially successful, as the activities appeared to conflict, but a suitable compromise was worked out in 1964, and the club was formed by constitution. Diving was suspended in 1967, as swimmers were perceived as a hazard to boats, but more negotiations led to a trial reinstatement of the activity in October 1968, and it became permanent in December 1969. The club did not affiliate to the British Sub-Aqua Club, as they were carrying out research into fish in the reservoir, while the BSAC supported spearfishing. However, the situation had changed by 1976, and they are now part of that organisation, with all of the trainers holding BSAC qualifications.^[8]

The other diving club is the Dudley Nautilus Sub-Aqua Club, which was formed in 1973. They are based at the leisure centre at Halesowen, but use the reservoir for diving weekly. They keep a rigid-hulled inflatable boat at Netherton, from which diving can take place.^[9]

Bibliography

• Hadfield, Charles (1985). The Canals of the West Midlands. David and Charles. ISBN 0-7153-8644-1.
• Nicholson (2006). Nicholson Guide Vol 2: Severn, Avon & Birmingham. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-00-721110-4.
• Shill, Ray (2002). The Birmingham Canal Navigations. Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2767-9.

References

1. Hadfield 1985, p. 114
2. Ordnance Survey, 1:2500 map
3. Nicholson 2006, p. 132
4. Shill 2002, p. 108
5. Hadfield 1985, p. 253
6. "About Dudley Water Sports Centre Ltd". Dudley Water Sports Centre. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
7. "Company Details". Companies House.
8. "Dudley Dolphin. A short History 1964 - 1976". Dudley Dolphin. Retrieved 2012-02-06.
9. "A little bit about us". Dudley Nautilus Sub-Aqua Club. Retrieved 2012-02-06.