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Edgbaston Reservoir AI simulator
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Edgbaston Reservoir AI simulator
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Edgbaston Reservoir
Edgbaston Reservoir, originally known as Rotton Park Reservoir and referred to in some early maps as Rock Pool Reservoir, is a canal feeder reservoir in Birmingham, England, maintained by the Canal & River Trust. It is situated close to Birmingham City Centre and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
Originally a small pool named Roach Pool in Rotton Park, it was extensively enlarged by Thomas Telford between 1824 and 1829 to supply water to the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Levels of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) canal system: via a culvert and the Engine Arm to the Wolverhampton Level, and via Icknield Port Loop at the foot of the dam to the lower Birmingham Level.
It was excavated to a depth of 40 feet (12 metres) and covers an area of 58 acres (23 ha), holding 300 million imperial gallons (1,400 Ml) of water, and was the largest expanse of water in Birmingham at the time. It is supplied by small streams and a feeder from Titford Reservoir (Titford Pools) in Oldbury. It was formed by damming a small stream. The dam is a 1,080-foot (330 m) long earth embankment with a height of 33 feet (10 m) near the centre.
The reservoir and gatehouse were designed by Thomas Telford and the latter is a two-storey listed building in corporate BCN octagonal style, with a later extension dating from 1880. In 1873, the reservoir was crossed by Charles Blondin, on a tightrope. His feat is marked by a 1992 statue on the nearby Ladywood Middleway ring road.
In 1876, a skating rink was opened near the gatehouse. By the 1920s the building was more popular as a dance hall, and was renamed the 'Pavilion Ballroom', and then in 1933 the 'Tower Ballroom'. The Tower Ballroom remained open in some form until 2017, when it was forced to close due to rent costs. It reopened briefly in 2019 to host Birmingham Opera Company's acclaimed production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk, but was subsequently demolished in 2022 with the site remaining vacant as of 2024.
The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and grassland. The total area of the site is 70 acres (280,000 m2). It supports a variety of birds, in addition to newts and bats.
In addition to supplying water to the canals, the reservoir is used for leisure activities including angling, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing.
Edgbaston Reservoir is home to three rowing clubs, Birmingham Rowing Club, Birmingham City University Rowing Club and the University of Birmingham Boat Club. All are housed within the same boathouse. The site has also been chosen to house a new Birmingham Schools rowing initiative, with the three aforementioned clubs assisting in the running of the scheme. Birmingham Canoe Club also shares the space during the summer months (June to September), paddling on the reservoir.
Edgbaston Reservoir
Edgbaston Reservoir, originally known as Rotton Park Reservoir and referred to in some early maps as Rock Pool Reservoir, is a canal feeder reservoir in Birmingham, England, maintained by the Canal & River Trust. It is situated close to Birmingham City Centre and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
Originally a small pool named Roach Pool in Rotton Park, it was extensively enlarged by Thomas Telford between 1824 and 1829 to supply water to the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Levels of the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) canal system: via a culvert and the Engine Arm to the Wolverhampton Level, and via Icknield Port Loop at the foot of the dam to the lower Birmingham Level.
It was excavated to a depth of 40 feet (12 metres) and covers an area of 58 acres (23 ha), holding 300 million imperial gallons (1,400 Ml) of water, and was the largest expanse of water in Birmingham at the time. It is supplied by small streams and a feeder from Titford Reservoir (Titford Pools) in Oldbury. It was formed by damming a small stream. The dam is a 1,080-foot (330 m) long earth embankment with a height of 33 feet (10 m) near the centre.
The reservoir and gatehouse were designed by Thomas Telford and the latter is a two-storey listed building in corporate BCN octagonal style, with a later extension dating from 1880. In 1873, the reservoir was crossed by Charles Blondin, on a tightrope. His feat is marked by a 1992 statue on the nearby Ladywood Middleway ring road.
In 1876, a skating rink was opened near the gatehouse. By the 1920s the building was more popular as a dance hall, and was renamed the 'Pavilion Ballroom', and then in 1933 the 'Tower Ballroom'. The Tower Ballroom remained open in some form until 2017, when it was forced to close due to rent costs. It reopened briefly in 2019 to host Birmingham Opera Company's acclaimed production of Lady Macbeth of Mtsenk, but was subsequently demolished in 2022 with the site remaining vacant as of 2024.
The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and grassland. The total area of the site is 70 acres (280,000 m2). It supports a variety of birds, in addition to newts and bats.
In addition to supplying water to the canals, the reservoir is used for leisure activities including angling, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing.
Edgbaston Reservoir is home to three rowing clubs, Birmingham Rowing Club, Birmingham City University Rowing Club and the University of Birmingham Boat Club. All are housed within the same boathouse. The site has also been chosen to house a new Birmingham Schools rowing initiative, with the three aforementioned clubs assisting in the running of the scheme. Birmingham Canoe Club also shares the space during the summer months (June to September), paddling on the reservoir.
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