Blackbrook Reservoir

{{Short description|Reservoir in Leicestershire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox SSSI |image= Blackbrook Reservoir from near Poacher's Corner - geograph.org.uk - 329372.jpg |image_caption = |name= Blackbrook Reservoir |aos= Leicestershire |interest=Biological |gridref={{gbmappingsmall| SK 459 173 }}<ref name=dsv/> |area= 33.4 hectares<ref name=dsv/> |notifydate= 1985<ref name=dsv/> |map=[http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003378%27 ''Magic Map''] }} '''Blackbrook Reservoir''' is a {{convert|33.4|hectare|acre|adj=on}} biological [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] between [[Shepshed]] and [[Whitwick]] in [[Leicestershire]].<ref name=dsv>{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003378&SiteName=blackbr&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |title=Designated Sites View: Blackbrook Reservoir | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate = 15 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=map>{{cite web|url= http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003378%27|title=Map of Blackbrook Reservoir|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate= 15 September 2017}}</ref>

The [[reservoir]] was constructed in 1796 in order to feed the [[Charnwood Forest Canal]], which has long since vanished. The first dam constructed was an earthworks one, and this failed on 20 February 1799. In eleven minutes the reservoir was empty and as a result local farmland was ruined, sheep were drowned, and much of [[Shepshed]] and nearby [[Loughborough]] were affected by flood waters. The dam was repaired in 1801, but the canal was no longer commercially viable.

The present gravity dam was constructed in 1906 and was officially opened by the first Mayor of Loughborough [[Joseph Griggs]]. In 1957 the dam felt the effects of a magnitude 5.3 earthquake. The tremors caused heavy coping stones to shift and cracks appeared in the faces of the dam.

The reservoir has a plant community on its margins which is unique in the Midlands and only found in a few northern sites. Its unusual mix of flora includes ''[[Juncus filiformis]]'' at its most southern locations, and the lake itself has native [[white-clawed crayfish]], where it is isolated from the invasive American [[signal crayfish]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003378%27 |title=Blackbrook Reservoir citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|accessdate= 15 September 2017}}</ref>

One Barrow Lane crosses the south-eastern end of the reservoir. The lane is carried by the One Barrow Viaduct, a blue brick construction consisting of three arches. Previously it served as the entranceway drive to the now demolished One Barrow Lodge Farm. This is a public footpath which eventually leads you out on the Oaks Road, near Mount St Bernard Abbey.

The dam and reservoir is managed by [[Severn Trent]] and is currently in a redundant state. There is strictly no access to the dam which is on private land - a part of the Grace Dieu & Longcliffe Estate.

==See also== {{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport}} *[[Canals of the United Kingdom]] *[[History of the British canal system]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20220706085203/http://www.geocities.com/oliveshark53/canal.htm In Search of the Lost Canal] - by S N Badcock *[http://www.britishwalks.org/walks/2005/662.php A circular walk to Bardon Hill] - Includes photographs of the reservoir *[http://www.leicesterclimbs.f9.co.uk/BlackbrookI.htm Leicestershire Climbs] - Blackbrook Reservoir

{{coord| 52.751| -1.322 |type:landmark_region:GB-BNE|display=title}} {{SSSIs Leicestershire }}

[[Category:Canal reservoirs in England]] [[Category:Reservoirs in Leicestershire]] [[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Leicestershire]] [[Category:Shepshed]]