Leicestershire's 20 Reservoirs: A County Shaped by Water Storage

Landlocked Leicestershire in England's East Midlands manages water resources through 20 reservoirs—ranging from Victorian-era impoundments to modern pumped-storage facilities.

The Complete List

1. Beacon Hill Reservoir
2. Burbage Brook Reservoir
3. Cheylton Brook Reservoir
4. Cropston Reservoir (1871, Leicester's first major supply)
5. Eyebrook Reservoir (straddles Rutland border, trout fishery)
6. Fosse Brook Reservoir
7. Gartree Reservoir
8. Groby Pool Reservoir (medieval origin, SSSI wetland)
9. Hallaton Reservoir
10. Harby Reservoir
11. Hodsock Priory Reservoir
12. Humberstone Reservoir
13. Launde Park Reservoir
14. Loughborough Reservoir
15. Old John Reservoir
16. Peckleton Brook Reservoir
17. Scalford Reservoir
18. Sileby Reservoir
19. Swithland Reservoir (1896, Charnwood Forest setting)
20. Watermead Country Park Reservoir (reclaimed gravel pits, recreation hub)

Functions & Evolution

Early reservoirs (Cropston, Swithland) served Leicester's booming industrial population. Later additions addressed agricultural irrigation, flood attenuation, and drought resilience. Several—Eyebrook, Groby Pool, Watermead—now double as nature reserves and recreation sites.

Modern Management

Severn Trent Water operates most. Climate change projections (hotter, drier summers; intense winter rainfall) are driving investment in inter-reservoir transfers, leakage reduction, and demand management to secure supply for 1M+ customers.