Chasewater - Dam Repair

Dam Repair

Following an inspection in 2006 and further investigations in the years that followed, it was decided that maintenance works were needed to the eastern dam. The threats to the dam included internal erosion and overtopping of the dam during a storm event.Lichfield District Council appointed Galliford Try as principal contractor for works to start in December 2010. In May 2011 ownership of the reservoir passed to Staffordshire County Council to ensure successful completion of the works. The county council maintained the principal contractor and appointed civil engineers, URS to complete the works.

The water level in the reservoir was lowered by 8 metres (26 ft) from February to April in 2010, in order for the works to be carried out on the eastern dam. To reduce the risk of internal erosion filters were installed at the downstream toe of the embankment to control and monitor seepage through the dam. To meet regulations the reservoir has to be able to withstand a 1 in 10,000 year storm event. To increase the overflow capacity culverts were installed through the causeway carrying Chasewater Railway, this was to increase water flows from Jeffries Swag into the main body of the reservoir. A new bridge, weir and spillway were built at the southeastern end of the reservoir. The drawdown culvert which runs from the reservoir bed to the canal was inspected and restored for the first time in 200 years. The £5.5 million repairs were completed in April 2012.

When the water was lowered, two suspected bombs were discovered on the reservoir bed, these were later determined to be mortar rounds dating from the Second World War.