URPoint Details
Cow Green Reservoir near Barnard Castle is 2 miles (3 km) long built between 1967 and 1971 to supply the industries of Teesside. The reservoir acts as a river regulator releasing water into the River Tees. These regulated flows allow six further reservoir levels to be maintained and these in turn provide water for industry and domestic use.
Rare alpine plants like the unique Teesdale violet suffered badly when the reservoir was completed and in the end, about a tenth of this plant's habitat was destroyed.
The remaining area was designated the Moor House-Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve in 1969, from what was previously two separate nature reserves. The reservoir lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The reservoir is the largest reserve of wild brown trout in the North East. Day permits for Balderhead, Selset and Cow Green are available to buy from Grassholme visitor centre only.
- Type:
- Landmark