Lockwood Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lockwood Reservoir |
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Location | London Borough of Waltham Forest |
Coordinates | 51°35′42″N 0°02′52″W / 51.5950°N 0.0479°W |
Type | reservoir |
Basin countries | United Kingdom |
Surface area | 26.6 ha (66 acres) |
Max. depth | 10.4 m (34 ft) |
Water volume | 2.5 Gl (0.55×10 9 imp gal) |
Lockwood Reservoir is a large body of water located in Walthamstow, a part of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It's one of ten important reservoirs known as the Walthamstow Wetlands. These reservoirs are all connected and form part of the bigger Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. Their main job is to provide clean drinking water for the city of London. The company that owns and manages these reservoirs is called Thames Water.
What is Lockwood Reservoir?
Lockwood Reservoir is a huge, man-made lake. It holds a lot of water, about 2.5 billion liters! This water is treated and then sent to homes and businesses across London. The reservoir covers an area of about 26.6 hectares, which is like 65 football fields. At its deepest point, it goes down about 10.4 meters, which is taller than a three-story building.
Nature and Wildlife
Lockwood Reservoir is a very special place for nature. It has been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the area is protected because it has rare plants, animals, or geological features. Many different kinds of birds, fish, and insects live in and around the reservoir. It's an important habitat for wildlife, especially for birds that migrate long distances.
How the Reservoir Was Built
The construction of Lockwood Reservoir finished in 1903. It was built by a company called the East London Waterworks Company. This company was responsible for supplying water to many parts of East London. Just one year later, in 1904, the reservoir and the company were taken over by the Metropolitan Water Board. This board was a public organization created to manage London's water supply more efficiently. Today, Thames Water continues this important work.