Sulby Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sulby Reservoir |
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Dusk at Sulby Reservoir, 2009
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 Sulby Reservoir
Location in Isle of Man
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| Location | Sulby Glen |
| Coordinates | 54°16′17″N 4°30′00″W / 54.27139°N 4.50000°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Sulby River |
| Primary outflows | Sulby River |
| Catchment area | 16.2 square kilometres (4,000 acres) |
| Basin countries | Isle of Man |
| Surface area | 62.3 hectares (154 acres) |
| Average depth | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Water volume | 4.832×106 m3 (3,917 acre⋅ft) |
The Sulby Reservoir is the biggest reservoir, or man-made lake, on the Isle of Man. It covers an area of about 154 acres (62 ha). A reservoir is a large lake built to store water, usually for people to drink or for other uses.
Contents
What is Sulby Reservoir?
Sulby Reservoir is an impounding reservoir. This means it was created by building a large dam across a valley. The dam holds back the water from a river, forming a lake behind it.
Building the Dam
The dam for Sulby Reservoir was finished in 1982. It is a rock-fill embankment dam, which means it's made mostly of rocks and earth. The dam stands about 73 metres (240 ft) high.
How Much Water Does it Hold?
The reservoir can hold a huge amount of water, about 4,832,000 m3 (170,640,470 cu ft). At its deepest point, the water is about 73 m (240 ft) deep. The water from the reservoir flows to the Sulby Water Treatment Works. Here, it is cleaned and made safe to drink before being sent to homes and businesses.
Where is Sulby Reservoir Located?
The reservoir is found at the very top of Sulby Glen. This area is close to where the Sulby River begins. The Sulby River is the longest river on the Isle of Man.
Surrounding Valleys and Peaks
Sulby Reservoir gets its water from several places. These include Druidale, Glen Crammag, and the upper part of the Sulby River valley. It also receives water from another smaller valley. The reservoir is located where three different areas, called parishes, meet: Michael, Lezayre, and Braddan. It is also about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Snaefell. Snaefell is the highest mountain on the island. The Isle of Man Water Authority manages the reservoir.
How is the Water Used?
Sulby Reservoir is very important for the Isle of Man. It provides drinking water to many towns and villages in the northern part of the island. These include St Johns, Peel, Kirk Michael, Ballaugh, Andreas, Bride, Ramsey, and Laxey.
Supplying Other Areas
Sometimes, water from Sulby Reservoir can also be pumped to the West Baldwin Reservoir. This helps supply water to Douglas, the island's capital, and the southern half of the island.
Generating Electricity
The reservoir also helps make electricity! About one mile (1.6 kilometres) downstream from the reservoir, there is a hydro-electric power station. Water flows from the reservoir through a large pipe to this power station. The moving water spins turbines, which then create electricity. Another smaller reservoir, called Block Eary, also helps feed water to this power station.
In 2013, a special system was added at the Sulby Water Treatment Works. This system can also generate hydro-electric power from the water as it comes in for cleaning. This is a clever way to use the water's energy before it is purified and sent to homes.
Fun Activities at Sulby Reservoir
Sulby Reservoir is not just for water and power. It's also a great place for outdoor activities!
Fishing and Stargazing
You can go trout fishing at the reservoir. There is also a large car park, making it easy to visit. Sulby Reservoir is also a registered dark sky discovery site. This means it's a fantastic spot to go stargazing because there is very little light pollution.
