Water Storage System Case Study: Kielder Water

Case Study of Kielder Water- a reservoir scheme in the UK

Where:

• Kielder water is located in Northumberland, close to the Scottish border
• It is located in the North East of England
• This included flooding the River North Tyne valley
• Few people lived in the valley, few families needed to be rehoused
• Most of the land was poor-quality farmland, remote from markets in the lower Tyne valley

When:

• Planned in the late 1960's
• Project started in 1975
• Opened in 1982

Why?:

• Kielder water was built in the era of the dominant chemical and steel industry, especially in Teessisde. 
• The chemical and steel industry created a high demand for water.
• The growing population created a high demand for water.
• The location was chosen as it would be able to serve more than one purpose, e.g physical and human attractions as well as water usage.
• The area was lacking in wildlife habitats therefore the prospect of the additional physical factors was a favourable aspect.

Opinions:

• There were many opposing opinions on the Kielder water project, many of them changing over the time it took the reservoir to be built.
• Some elite the money could have been used elsewhere e.g on social amenities and leaking pipes.
• Some were upset because of the loss of woodland.
• The need for the reservoir seemed strong in the sense of water usage but over time technology improved and the chemical and steel industry machinery used less water. The demand for water was not as high as people had anticipated. This is why some believe the project was a 'white elephant'
• The demand for water also dropped after the dam opened as he heavy industry began to decline due to cheap foreign competition.
• Others believe it is a 'golden goose'. A worthwhile investment and believe it will be beneficial of the future. The reservoir's ability to produce hydroelectric power has added an advantage.

Facts:

• The cost of the project was £167 million.
• The lake is 52 metres at its deepest point.
• It holds 200,000 litres
• The dam is over 1km long

In the process-

• A remote valley was lost.
• 70 houses were drowned.
• 8 historical sites were drowned.
• Salmon breeding grounds were lost.
• Half a million trees were cut down.

Uses of water:

• Kielder water supplies mostly the North-East of England. Water is released directly into the River North Tyne; from the River Tyne at Riding Mill it is pumped through a tunnel under the high land between river valleys. It is then fed into other east-flowing rivers, especially the River Tees.
• Kielder water supplements the River Derwent flow when the reservoir is low and fed into the pipe distribution system.
• The North-East now has one of the most reliable and sustainable water supplies in England.
• Kielder water supplies water to Yorkshire.
• This lead to the opening of a Samsung factory in Teessisde which lead to other companies to build in the area.
• The lake is a tourist attraction.

In this case few people were badly affected. The farmland was poor quality and few people lived in the valley. There are more benefits than disadvantages.