The Brent water reservoir in north London is currently being drained of water to allow for repairs and decades of rubbish to be removed — and when it’s been emptied, there’ll be tours.
Brent Reservoir (c) Canal and River Trust
Built to supply water to the Regent’s Canal, Brent Reservoir (also known as the Welsh Harp) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its open water and associated habitats support an unusually large selection of wetland birds and plants for an inner-city reservoir. When full, the reservoir contains over one million cubic metres of water – enough to fill 400 Olympic swimming pools.
This winter, the Canal and River Trust, who own the reservoir, is undertaking a programme of repairs at the reservoir, to the chains and rods that operate the reservoir’s sluice gates and repainting the Valve House Tower.
As these works require the Trust to lower the water level in the reservoir, it’s a rare chance to see the reservoir drained. On Saturday 3rd February 2024, there will be an open day with tours, information, and a chance to see the empty reservoir.
Tours of the sluice will run every half an hour from 10am until 2.30pm, while guided nature walks will run every half an hour from 10.30am until 2.00pm.
For both, you need to sign up for a slot upon arrival, as spaces are limited.
Although the tours need to be signed up on the day, they’re asking people to register for the open day, which is free, to keep an eye on numbers. You can register here.
You can also donate to support the clean-up work here.
The reservoir is about a half-hour walk from Hendon railway station on Thameslink, or Wembley Park tube station (Jubilee/Metropolitan lines), or if you want to check it out, a slightly longer walk from the newly opened Brent Cross West station.
*Yes, the fish are OK. They’ve been removed to other locations.
North WEST London if you don’t mind!
I see the the old dumped safe is still there after decades and a supply of the electric hire bikes are accumulating by the old bridge polluting the reservoir. I have donated to the works happily.
When refilled open up as new London fishery we could do with one inbthis area.
Your out of Date
the fundraising is more or less there
Brent Reservoir – A Critical Milestone Achieved!
We’re delighted to announce that, thanks to your support, the draining process for the Brent (Welsh Harp) Reservoir has commenced! This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to revitalise this vital urban wild space. We estimate the process will take around four weeks to drain the reservoir, which contains over 1 million cubic metres of water – enough to fill 400 Olympic swimming pools. The Trust will drain the reservoir by around 300mm per day into the River Brent in a slow and controlled way using the sluice gates. As this happens, our team is preparing for the crucial clean-up phase, including the removal of rubbish from the reservoir bed and along the shore, and a fish rescue programme.
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Together, we’re taking the first step toward restoring the reservoir to its natural beauty – and you are enabling enhanced water quality, preserving the reservoir’s fragile ecosystem and 16 protected plant species. You are fostering a healthier environment for wildlife and local people. Thank you.
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This is also a pivotal moment in our crowdfunding Campaign – we are just a stone’s throw away from our £15,000 target, with less than £700 left to reach our goal to ensure we can see this project through.
The finish line is in sight, and your continued support is vital as we approach our target. We’d be incredibly grateful if you could extend your support by sharing the link below with just 5 of your friends or family members. The backing from your connections could significantly contribute to us reaching our goal in the following days.
https://bit.ly/Brent_Clean_Up
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.
Many years ago I used to sail and row here while I was in the Sea Scouts our troop was based in Neasden.
Quite often we would crew for the sailing club.
I went to Wykeham School that was just round the corner from the Welsh Harp