Winster Valley Reservoir Scheme

In 1964 Manchester Corporation Waterworks did a report on the future water resources, which stated it would transform the appearance and use of the Winster Valley. The area flooded would be about 2,120 acres of agricultural land to an average depth of 60 feet with a dam on the upper site and it would be over 1000 acres. (l) This scheme was estimated to have cost between £74 and £80 million pounds. It was thought that the site would not be unattractive with the possibility of it becoming a popular tourist attraction.

The existing salt and fresh water fisheries were considered, trout and salmon rents were high and there were shellfish, cockles and shrimps. Other storage for Windermere water may be found in the River Kent and River Leven estuaries but likely to be considered inadequate.

According to the Parish Council minutes Councillors objected to this proposal and were given leave to pay a solicitor should the need arise. They were to liaise with the Winster Valley Preservation Society, who would represent Witherslack in all matters relating to the proposal. The whole scheme was eventually considered to be too difficult to construct and was open to strong opposition, and so it was dropped.

1. Map of Winster Valley Reservoir Scheme

2. Across Morecambe Bay’ W.R. Mitchell 1973 p31