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Kielder Water: England's Drought Shield?
9 Sep
Summary
- Kielder Water, UK's largest man-made lake, protects North East England.
- Opened in 1982, it holds 200 billion litres of water.
- Climate change models suggest North East will remain water secure.
Much of England has grappled with drought during recent heatwaves, yet the North East has largely avoided water scarcity. This resilience is significantly attributed to Kielder Water, England's largest reservoir, located in Northumberland.
Opened in 1982, Kielder Water is the UK's largest artificial lake, holding approximately 200 billion litres. Initially intended to support an expanding steel industry, it now plays a crucial role in ensuring the North East is a water-secure region.
Water from Kielder is currently used to maintain levels in the River Wear, with hundreds of Olympic-sized swimming pools diverted since mid-July. Similar support can be provided to other rivers like the Tyne and Tees.
While Kielder is a major safeguard, the region also benefits from other reservoirs, good rainfall, and large river systems. Climate change projections suggest the North East will experience more drought conditions but remain more water-secure than other parts of England and Wales.
Experts consider Kielder a prime example of resilient water engineering. Northumbrian Water believes the North East has enough water for the foreseeable future but encourages water conservation to prolong the effectiveness of existing safeguards.
