Gouthwaite Reservoir

Gouthwaite Reservoir is a reservoir in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, England. It is one of many in the area, others include Roundhill Reservoir and Angram Reservoir.

Gouthwaite Reservoir
Gouthwaite Reservoir
Gouthwaite Reservoir
LocationEngland
Coordinates54°6′51″N 1°47′47″W
Typereservoir
Primary inflowsRiver Nidd
Primary outflowsRiver Nidd
Basin countriesUnited Kingdom
Surface area312 acres (126 ha)[1]
Shore length14.9 miles (7.9 km)[1]
Surface elevation433 feet (132 m)[1]
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Gouthwaite's sole purpose is a compensation reservoir for the River Nidd, i.e. it maintains the downstream flow of the river during periods of high and low rainfall.[2][3]

History
The relocated Gouthwaite Hall

The reservoir was constructed between 1893 and 1901.[4] The Elizabethan manor house of Gouthwaite White Hall, the ancient home of the Yorke family, was submerged beneath the reservoir. Gouthwaite Hall was rebuilt beside the reservoir with materials from the old hall, and is now a Grade II listed building.[5]

On 1 June 1978, an Royal Air Force Jet Provost aircraft crashed into the reservoir killing the pilot. His body and most of the aircraft were recovered in the following days.[6][7]

Birdwatching

Gouthwaite Reservoir is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[8] The reservoir is independently owned by the Gouthwaite Management Board, but they are advised by Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency,[9] who have created viewing areas for bird watchers on the edge of the reservoir. Tree and shrub cover along the shoreline provides a habitat for small birds such as willow warbler and blackcap. Other records include woodland specialists like great spotted woodpecker and nuthatch. The green woodpecker has also been recorded.

In winter, after the summer migrants have gone, the reservoir margins are good for fieldfares and redwings. On the reservoir itself, Canada geese are always present and are joined during the autumn and winter by goosanders and goldeneye accompanied by mallard, tufted duck and pochard. Whooper swans from Iceland frequently join them.

Winter is also a good time for birds of prey with buzzard, red kite, hen harriers, merlins and kestrels being observed around the reservoir and the surrounding moorland. Ospreys and golden eagles are frequently observed on passage.

It is also the reservoir featured on the opening credits of the UK Soap drama, Emmerdale.

References
  1. "Gouthwaite Reservoir, North Yorkshire – British Lakes". britishlakes.info. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  2. "Yorkshire Water to start £7m scheme to improve safety at Gouthwaite reservoir". Water Briefing. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  3. Cudworth, W. (1896). Manningham, Heaton, and Allerton (townships of Bradford) treated historically and topographically. Рипол Классик. p. 232. ISBN 978-5-87547-985-4. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  4. Jennings, Bernard (1992). A History of Nidderdale. p. 346. ISBN 1-85072-114-9.
  5. Historic England. "Gouthwaite White Hall (1150482)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  6. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Hunting Jet Provost T3A XN598, 01 Jun 1978". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  7. "Provost Training Aircraft (Hansard, 5 July 1978)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  8. "SSSI citation" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  9. "Multi-million pound plan to improve safety at Gouthwaite reservoir". Harrogate Advertiser. 9 May 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.

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