Description and History of Site:-

Impounding reservoir, part of the first phase of the development of the Bradford water works in the mid C19. The reservoir keepers lodge is listed (Grade II). The reservoir is now maintained for its recreational and wildlife value, but no longer part of the water supply to Bradford.The original site proposed for the reservoir, in the Act of 1842, was 'at or near Hedge Side Farm' near Allerton, which was later discovered to be unsuitable on geological grounds. Fortunately, the owner of Hedge Side, one George Baron Esq., with whom the purchase of the site had already been negotiated, also owned land at Chellow Dean, a little to the north east, and this land 'though not free from similar difficulties, held out a better prospect for constructing a more efficient reservoir within' was purchased instead. Contracts were offered, in January 1844, for a store reservoir at Chellow Dean, a service reservoir at Whetley Hill, and a conduit between Hewenden and Chellow and thence to Whetley. By this time, the works at Manywells Spring (WYK02359), the actual source of the water supply, had been under way since February 1843. By March 1844, contracts for this reservoir, and the aqueduct (WYK02387) linking it with the Manywells project, were entered into with Michael Wilson of Huddersfield. However, these contracts were cancelled by July of the same year and given instead to Smith and Chapman of Herne Bay, Kent, (who were already making good progress on the Whetley Hill service reservoir contract).

By January 1845, construction of the reservoir was described as 'in a very backward state'. The culvert and bye-channel were mostly complete and about half the fencing, but the embankment hardly progressed at all. At the time it was pointed out, by the Water Works Company and by their engineers, that the completion of Chellow Dean was not a prerequisite for supplies from Manywells to reach the Whetley Hill service reservoir, and that the storage reservoir was intended only 'for emergencies'. This assertion seems strange in the light of the fact that within five years it was found necessary to build a new and additional storage reservoir (Chellow Dean Upper Reservoir) immediately upstream of the original.

However, by January 1846 it was reported to the half yearly meeting of the Water Works Company that the 'out-works' were completed and that the 'reservoir finished, sound, watertight, and full.' In July 1846 it was announced that the overall costs of the reservoirs, conduit and Manywells works amounted to £6662, not including the reservoir keepers cottage which had yet to be built.

Further Reading and References:-

No references for this site

Help us improve this entry

The compilers welcome corrections or additional information on all sites.
Any information provided will be verified before appearing on the web site.

Email comments

Key Words :- potable water impounding reservoir

Viewing the Site :- Can be viewed from public footpath

Address :- Chellow Dean, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD9 6AU
Grid Ref :- SE 12384 34514
Co-ordinates :- Lat 53.806775 , Long -1.813431
Local Authority :- City of Bradford
Pre 1974 County :- Yorkshire - West Riding
Site Status :- Listed - Grade II
Historic England List No - 1320332,
Site Condition :- Site conserved and open to the public
Site Dates :- 1846 -
Contributor :- Nick Nelson - 2 December 2019

Copyright :- cc-by-nc-sa 4.0 © Nick Nelson