Staunton Harold Reservoir and the surrounding area was once home to a remarkable range of industries. Today, although it is a much more peaceful place, there is still a lot of work of a very different kind going on – managing the landscape and promoting biodiversity. Staunton Harold has a colourful combination of beautiful scenery, varied outdoor activities and a rich and interesting history. The
name Staunton is thought to originally derive from the local name for limestone, whilst Harold is named after a 12th century Saxon lord of the manor. The disused tower windmill which dominates the skyline on Staunton Harold Reservoir dates from 1798. It was built by the First Lord Melbourne, at a cost of £250. Staunton Harold Reservoir was created in 1964 by the River Dove Water Board to provide communities and businesses in Leicester and the East Midlands with drinking water. The reservoir was developed from one of six ponds on the neighbouring National Trust Calke Abbey Estate, originally owned by the Harpur Crew family. Before the reservoir was built, the valley was a place for industry and agriculture. Beneath the water lies a fascinating picture of local history. Calke Mill, Furnace Farm and New England Farm were covered by the reservoir. Wrought iron was worked at Furnace Farm and there were also three quarries. Charnell Hill Quarry produced sand which was probably used in local building work. High Wood Quarry and Depthin Quarry, worked in the 18th and 19th centuries both produced ‘scythe stone’ – used for sharpening scythes. What is Staunton Harold Reservoir’s role in the water supply network? The reservoir acts as a huge storage tank, taking water in and out when needed. Water from the reservoir is treated at Melbourne Treatment Works. The treatment works is on the shoreline of the reservoir, and was built in 1964. After alterations completed in 1997, it became one of the most modern and efficient in Europe. More than 800,000 people in Leicester and the East Midlands benefit from the treatment works. Where does the water come from? The water is pumped from the River Dove at Eggington. Water from Foremark Reservoir also flows into Staunton Harold before it is treated at Melbourne Treatment Works. How deep and big is the reservoir? The reservoir covers over 209 acres of land and is up to 80 feet deep, making this one of the largest reservoirs in Leicestershire. It has a capacity of 1,400 million gallons (6,370 megalitres) of water.
