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Essential reservoir safety works - Shearwater

20 February 2025

Work on a scenic lake on the Longleat Estate is to get underway to protect the historic location for future generations.

Shearwater Lake was created by the 1st Marquess of Bath in the 1790s, with later additions by the famous landscape gardener Humphry Repton.

It is classified under the Reservoir Act 1975 as a Category 1 Reservoir and the repair work is due to take place to meet the statutory safety requirements.

Over the decades numerous modifications have been made to the Lake and Dam but since 1975, its safety has been legally regulated by the Reservoir Act.

A recent inspection highlighted the need for repairs to the current spillway to ensure the dam structure can cope with extreme flood events. A spillway enables excess water to flow over the dam avoiding pressure building up on the historic dam wall.

The works will see the accessway along the top of the reservoir lowered as well as improvement to the Eastern bank of the spillway. These works are being completed under the advice and guidance of the Environment Agency.

David Leverett, Longleat’s Development Director, said: “This is part of a programme of work we have been undertaking with the Environment Agency for over 10 years to ensure that the dams and reservoirs on the estate meet essential safety standards. This project focuses on repairing and upgrading an existing structure.

“Shearwater is a man-made freshwater lake formed from a tributary of the River Wylye, and we know it has been popular for generations. This will ensure it is protected for the future.”

The lake is around 700 metres long and more than 10 metres deep in some places. It is used by the Shearwater Sailing Club as well as anglers with the surrounding paths used by walkers, cyclists and runners

The work, which will take around four months to complete, starts on 24 February 2025. The estate is upgrading an alternative pedestrian access to the northern section of the lake while the work takes place on the dam.

Permissive access along the road on the dam will be closed for the duration of the works to allow engineers to complete the essential safety works.

David added: “We are naturally sorry for any inconvenience the works may cause but we know people will also understand it is critical that we do carry out safety work such as this to ensure we protect users of the Lake but also the Lake itself for the future.”

The car park area serving Shearwater will remain open for the duration of the works. Jersey Hill is a no parking area, and this road remains the responsibility of the Highway Agency.

Alternative vehicle access for contractors, the sailing club and anglers has been arranged. Safety fencing will be installed to prevent access to the works area.

Coincidentally, with the long-standing tenant of the café facilities at Shearwater deciding not to renew the lease for 2025, there will be a refurbishment of the premises while the reservoir work takes place.