Type Reservoir Basin countries United Kingdom Average depth 14.8 m (49 ft) Area 147 ha Catchment area 25.5 km² | Primary outflows River Dibb Surface area 1.47 km (0.57 sq mi) Surface elevation 288 m Catchment area 25.5 km² Outflow location River Dibb | |
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Primary inflows Similar Yorkshire Dales, Troller's Gill, Thruscross Reservoir, Scar House Reservoir, Gouthwaite Reservoir | ||
Grimwith Reservoir is located in the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England. It is accessed from the B6265 road 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of Hebden and 8 miles (13 km) west of Pateley Bridge. With a surface area of 1.47 square kilometres (0.57 sq mi) and holding 21,772,000 cubic metres (4.789×109 imp gal) of water it is Yorkshire Water's largest reservoir.
Map of Grimwith Reservoir, Skipton, UK
The original reservoir was built in 1864 by the Bradford Corporation, the Local Authority for the city of Bradford, approximately 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level in Wharfedale. Following an agreement made in 1970 the size of the reservoir was increased by seven times and the water level was raised by 20 metres (66 ft), with work starting in 1976 and being completed in 1983. The reservoir outlet is the site of a renewable energy project that saw the installation of a small turbine that generates 1400 MWh of electricity per annum.
The reservoir is an important area for birds and is home to wildfowl such as Eurasian wigeon, teal, greylag geese and Canada geese. Other birds that can be seen at various times in the area include ringed plover, northern lapwing, common redshank, Eurasian curlew, reed bunting, lesser redpoll, whinchat and sedge warbler.
The reservoir is a popular destination for leisure activities such as sailing, walking and visitors to Stump Cross Caverns. A 7.2 kilometres (4.5 mi) wheelchair-accessible footpath / track circumnavigates the reservoir.