Balderhead Reservoir

About the Site

Balderhead Reservoir was built in 1965 at an altitude of 330 metres. High in the upper reaches of Baldersdale it is surrounded by open moorland.

Numerous small streams flowing off the adjacent peaty moorlands enter the 111.3 hectare reservoir. This results in the relatively large water body being nutrient poor and dystrophic (peat stained).

Unimproved grassland, both wet and dry, forms the majority of the habitat surrounding Balderhead. The dry grassland is dominated by wavy hair-grass, sheep's fescue and common bent, whilst the wet grassland is dominated by heath rush. Because of their steep-sides, the gills retain an element of moorland flora such as heather and bilberry. Flushes dominated by sharp-flowered rush and mosses occur in the bottom of the gills, along with scattered trees of birch and rowan.

Small pockets of native trees, including oak, wych elm, scots pine and ash have been planted in sheltered locations on the northern and southern sides of the reservoir. There is also remnant juniper scrub on the banks of Hunder Beck and additional juniper was planted in 1998 to restore this characteristic upland habitat. Juniper is best known as a flavouring used in gin, but the berries can also be boiled, and the resultant steam inhaled as a cure for bronchitis.

Mallard regularly visit Balderhead in the winter, as do wigeon, tufted duck, goldeneye, teal, cormorant and goosander. Whooper swans and white-fronted geese are also sometimes recorded here in winter months.

The surrounding grassland forms important feeding areas for waders such as curlew, redshank, golden plover and snipe that breed on the surrounding moorland. Populations of these species have suffered national declines in recent years, due to destruction of their habitat. Common sandpiper and oystercatcher breed along the reservoir margins and merlin and kestrel may be seen hunting in this area.

Balderhead Resevoir

Location

Situated at the western end of Baldersdale, the reservoir is best approached from Romaldkirk village on the B6277.

Grid reference: NY 913 185

Facilities

Car parks at either end of the dam wall with an interpretation board at the nearest car park. A public footpath runs along the shore and the Pennine Way crosses Blackton Bridge at the eastern end; this is the half-way point of this famous 250 mile route. There is a Youth Hostel located below the dam wall near to Blackton Bridge.

The reservoir is a wild trout fishery, offering sport for the dedicated angler and is also home to the Balderhead Water Ski Club.

Bilberry

Enquiries

Northumbrian Water
Abbey Road
Pity Me
Durham
DH1 5FJ
Tel: 0870 2403549