| Looking across Widdop Reservoir One feature of the Forest of Trawden is the numerous small reservoirs that dot the landscape, providing drinking water to nearby towns and cities. |
| The Gorple and Walshaw Dean Reservoirs occur
in groups while others are on their own. Widdop Reservoir
is one of the Gorple group and is not far from where the
Pennine Way passes near the
Packhorse Inn. The dam for
Gorple Lower Reservoir can be seen from the Packhorse. Water based activities are available on some of the reservoirs such as sailing and fishing but mostly they are used for water supply and need to be kept undisturbed as much as possible. Widdop Reservoir |
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Reservoir FactsThe Upper and Lower Gorple Reservoirs were
both completed in 1934 and both have similar surface area
although Upper Gorple reservoir has the greater capacity
at 381,000,000 gallons while Lower Gorple has 227,000,000
gallons. Widdop Reservoir was built in 1878 and has
almost the combined surface area of the other two and a
capacity of 633,000,000 gallons. The Walshaw Dean
Reservoirs were buit by Enoch Tempest who was responsible
for the construction of several local reservoirs in the
first years of the 20th Century. The Pennine Way follows
the shores of the Walshaw Dean Reservoirs. |
Please note that these reservoirs are your drinking water. Please obey water board bylaws. Swimming is not allowed and can be dangerous, even on a hot summers day the water can be cold.
Tranquil late summer evening, Widdop Reservoir |
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