When the twin valleys of the River Gwash were flooded in the mid-1970s, Rutland Water became Europe’s largest man-made lake set in England’s smallest county. This large area of water created as a reservoir, initially strongly opposed, has become a major tourist attraction internationally recognized for its wildlife.
Our project involves the local community in investigating, documenting and publicising the changing heritage of this area.
This is the first time that such a detailed and comprehensive survey has been attempted and it may be the last opportunity before memories disappear.
Rutland Water was planned in the 1960s to meet the needs of the expanding East Midlands area of England. Sixty-four sites in and around the Northamptonshire area were investigated before the twin valleys of the River Gwash were chosen.
The second choice was the Chater valley, less than a mile away to the south. The main reasons for choosing this site were the availability of clay within the reservoir area to build the dam, the nearness of the River Welland and the River Nene to supply the water required, and its central location to the area requiring the water.
Construction started in 1971, filling commenced in 1975, and it was full by 1979.