Welsh Harp Reservoir
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Greater London |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | TQ217873 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 68.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The Brent Reservoir (popularly called the Welsh Harp) is a reservoir between Hendon and Wembley Park in London. It straddles the boundary between the boroughs of Brent and Barnet and is owned by the Canal & River Trust. The reservoir takes its informal name from a public house called The Welsh Harp, which stood nearby until the early 1970s. It is a 68.6 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest, the only one in Barnet and Brent.
The reservoir is fed by the Silk Stream and the River Brent, and its outflow is the River Brent. It is said to contain enough water to fill 3 million baths, and in 1994 when the reservoir was drained, more than 6,700 lb (3,000 kg) of fish were captured, 95% of which were roach. However, fishing is prohibited.
The reservoir has a sailing centre, home to Welsh Harp Sailing Club, Wembley Sailing Club, the Sea Cadets, and the University of London Sailing club. In 1960, it also hosted the Women's European Rowing Championships.
Plans for the construction laid in 1803 were abandoned because of cost. However canals continued to develop in the early 19th century and there were water supply problems. By 1820 there was not enough water to supply the Grand Union Canal and the Regent's Canal so under an Act of Parliament in 1819, the Regent's Canal Company decided to dam the River Brent and create a reservoir.
The reservoir was constructed by William Hoof between 1834 and 1835. The water flooded much of Cockman’s Farm, to supply the Regent's Canal at Paddington. It was called Kingsbury Reservoir and its 69 acres (280,000 m2) spread between Old Kingsbury Church and Edgware Road. Hoof, who was awarded the tender for the work (including the construction of a bridge) received the sum of £2,740 and six shillings.
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