Dean Mills Reservoir

Dean Mills Reservoir is a small water reservoir to the north of the town of Bolton, Greater Manchester located high on the slopes of Winter Hill.

Map of Dean Mills Reservoir, Bolton, UK

The reservoir was constructed above the village of Barrow Bridge by John and Robert Lord. “The Lord Brothers opened a mill there in the late 18th Century using Crompton’s spinning mules. With the success of this operation they built a water-powered mill further down the valley and carried out ambitious waterworks including the construction of a reservoir, waterfall and sluices to power the mill.”

The dark brown appearance of the water in the reservoir is due to discolouration from the surrounding peat that naturally drains into the reservoir.