High Bullough Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids High Bullough Reservoir |
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 High Bullough Reservoir
Location in the Borough of Chorley
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| Location | Lancashire |
| Coordinates | 53°38′50″N 2°34′41″W / 53.64722°N 2.57806°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
High Bullough Reservoir is a large reservoir located in Lancashire, England. It is the oldest reservoir in the Rivington chain, which is a series of reservoirs connected together. This important water body was first approved by a special law, called an Act of Parliament, in 1846. Construction began soon after, and the reservoir was finished in 1850.
Building High Bullough Reservoir
High Bullough Reservoir was built for the Chorley Waterworks company. The engineer in charge of the project was John Frederick Bateman. He had previously estimated how much the project would cost. Then, he became the main engineer for building the reservoir.
The dam that holds back the water is made of earth. It reaches a maximum height of about 39 feet (12 m). The dam stretches for 988 feet (301 m) across the land. It can hold a huge amount of water, around 55 million imperial gallons (250 Ml).
How the Dam Works
Water leaves the reservoir through a pipe that runs through the dam. This pipe was supported by two stone structures inside the dam. The valve to control the water flow was at the end of the dam, furthest from the reservoir. Even though this design is not often used today, the reservoir has worked safely for many years.
Exploring the Reservoir
High Bullough Reservoir is a popular spot for people who enjoy walking. It is part of the Anglezarke trail, a well-known walking route. You can also reach the reservoir from a place called Manor House. The reservoir was originally known as Chorley Reservoir.
Even though some websites say High Bullough Reservoir is no longer used for drinking water, it is still listed as part of the Rivington Chain. In 2018, the company that manages the water, United Utilities, even applied for a special permit to use its water during a dry period. This shows it remains an important part of the water supply system.
Jacob's Ladder
Near the reservoir, between it and Manor House, there was once a very large staircase. This staircase was made from timber and was known as Jacob's Ladder. Today, you can still see the remains of this interesting structure on the east side of the water.
