{{Short description|Reservoir in Brixworth, United Kingdom}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox SSSI |image= Pitsford_Water.jpg |image_caption = Northern section of Pitsford Water, with mute swans and dragonfly sculpture |name= Pitsford Reservoir |aos= Northamptonshire |interest=Biological |gridref={{gbmappingsmall|SP 773 701 }}<ref name=dsv/> |area= 413.1 hectares<ref name=dsv/> |notifydate= 1984<ref name=dsv/> |map=[ ''Magic Map''] }} '''Pitsford Water''' or '''Pitsford Reservoir''' is a 413 hectare reservoir and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Brixworth in Northamptonshire.<ref name=dsv>{{cite web|url= https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S1003637&SiteName=pitsford&countyCode=&responsiblePerson= |title=Designated Sites View: Pitsford Reservoir | series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date = 20 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=map>{{cite web|url= http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx?startTopic=Designations&activelayer=sssiIndex&query=HYPERLINK%3D%271003637%27|title=Map of Pitsford Reservoir|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher=Natural England|access-date= 20 December 2016}}</ref> It is owned by Anglian Water, which manages it as a water park for walking, cycling, fishing, sailing and birdwatching.<ref name=anglian>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/leisure/water-parks/pitsford/|title=Pitsford Water Park|publisher=Anglian Water|access-date= 20 December 2016}}</ref> An area of 181 hectares north of the causeway which divides the reservoir is the Pitsford Water Nature Reserve, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.<ref name=WTBCN>{{cite web|url= http://www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/pitsford-reservoir |title= Pitsford Water Nature Reserve |publisher= Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire |access-date= 20 December 2016}}</ref>
==History and location== The reservoir was built in 1956 to supply the town of Northampton, which is about {{convert|6|mi|km|order=flip}} to the south. Holcot bridge was submerged when it filled and was replaced by a causeway {{convert|0.25|mi|m|order=flip}} further south. The water is the 34th largest in England and Wales, with a surface area of {{convert|2.85|mi2|km2|order=flip}}. Among artificial lakes, however, it is the fourth-largest in the United Kingdom. The reservoir is near the village of Pitsford, from which it is named. It is also close to Brixworth village and Brixworth Country Park, with Holcot on its eastern side.
==Ecology== This is the largest body of water in the county, and is used by wintering wildfowl, including the northern shoveler in nationally important numbers. Over 60 species of birds breed on the site, such as the great crested grebe, little grebe, teal, kingfisher and reed warbler.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003637.pdf|title= Pitsford Reservoir citation|series= Sites of Special Scientific Interest|publisher= Natural England|access-date= 20 December 2016|archive-date= 4 March 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062703/http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003637.pdf|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref name=WTBCN/>
== Fishing == The water is run as a trout fishery by Anglian Water, on a season ticket and day ticket basis, with boat hire available. Predator fishing is available in the winter months, mainly for pike. Trout are stocked at around {{convert|2|lb|kg|order=flip|abbr=on}} in weight. The [http://www.total-fishing.com/bob-collins-breaks-pitsford-waters-long-standing-brown-trout-record-with-a-15lb-8oz-beauty/ Pitsford Water brown trout record] was set in October 2017 by season ticket holder Bob Collins with a fish of {{convert|7|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.
==Access== There is public access to the water park, and a permit from the fishing lodge is required to visit the nature reserve.<ref name=anglian/>
==References== {{reflist}} {{commons category|Pitsford Water}} {{SSSIs Northamptonshire}} {{Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire}}
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Category:Drinking water reservoirs in England Category:Reservoirs in Northamptonshire Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Northamptonshire Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1956 Category:Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire reserves