In order to ensure a good supply of water for the Kendal section of the canal, the Company had determined to build its own reservoir, and in 1810 purchased 86 acres of land at Killington Common, some 5 miles to the east of Kendal. Water would be brought from the reservoir by means of a feeder channel to enter the canal at Crooklands. The reservoir, completed in 1819, has been enlarged several times and now covers 153 acres. It holds 766 million gallons when full, and has a maximum depth of 47 feet against the dam, which was built of clay and stone.

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Crooklands feeder entering the canal.

Lying 750 feet above sea-level, and measuring about four miles round, the reservoir supplies up to 3.7 million gallons of water per day to the canal. It is one of the largest canal feeders in the country.

Above right: Map of planned reservoir

 

MAP OF THE LANCASTER CANAL	IN THE BEGINNING	THE NAVVIES START WORK	THE GRAND OPENING
THE PLAN AND THE REALITY	NORTHWARDS TO KENDAL	AND THE WATERS CAME	LINKS WITH THE SEA
PASSENGER TRAVEL	THE DOWNWARD SLOPE	THE END IS NIGH	NEW HOPE
FURTHER READING	PLACES TO VISIT	BOAT TRIPS	CANAL GROUPS

Copyright: Canalcaholic 1999
Last revised: August 2004