Bittell Reservoirs facts for kids
The Bittell Reservoirs are two large lakes found in Worcestershire, England. They are located between the villages of Barnt Green and Longbridge, a part of Birmingham. These two lakes are called the Upper Bittell Reservoir and the Lower Bittell Reservoir.
They were built a long time ago to supply water to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. This canal was finished in the 1790s, but the reservoirs themselves weren't fully built until 1837.
Contents
Why Were the Bittell Reservoirs Built?
The main reason for building the Bittell Reservoirs was to keep the nearby canal full of water. Canals were like highways for boats carrying goods in the past.
Keeping the Canal Full
The Upper Bittell Reservoir acts like a big backup water tank. Its job is to make sure the canal always has enough water, even when there hasn't been much rain. If the canal dried up, boats couldn't use it, which would be bad for businesses and people who relied on it.
Helping the Local Area
The Lower Bittell Reservoir helps the land around it. It makes sure that the local area doesn't get too dry during times of drought. This helps plants and wildlife in the area.
A Bit of History
It took a long time to build these reservoirs. But just six years after they were finished, a railway line was built right next to them. This railway, the Birmingham & Gloucester Line, started to take over some of the transport jobs that the canal used to do. This meant the canal became less important for moving goods.
What Happens at the Reservoirs Today?
Even though they are old, the Bittell Reservoirs are still very active places. Many people enjoy visiting them for different activities.
Fun Water Activities
You can go fishing in several spots, especially on the lower reservoirs. The Upper Bittell Reservoir is a popular place for sailing and windsurfing. It's also home to the Barnt Green Sailing Club.
Sea Scouts and Swimmers
The 1st Kings Norton Sea Scout Troop uses a large boathouse on the south-east side of the Upper Reservoir. They learn important water skills there. In the summer, local triathlon clubs also use the Upper Reservoir for open water swimming practice.
A Special Place for Nature
One side of the Upper Reservoir cannot be accessed by people. This is because it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature and wildlife, and it's protected to keep it healthy.
Bird Watching History
Long ago, in the early 1900s, people from the West Midland Bird Club regularly recorded the different types of birds living at the reservoirs. This was happening even before it became common to monitor wildlife sites. A famous bird watcher, Bill Oddie, also visited the reservoirs often when he was young.
Amazing Eel Discovery
In 2017, something very interesting happened at the Upper Bittell Reservoir. When the reservoir was being drained for maintenance, workers found about 500 critically endangered European eels! These eels were carefully moved and rehomed in the canal that the reservoir feeds. This helped protect these special creatures.
