Barnt Green Sailing Club - Water Level

Some pictures of the lake, fuller than full, can be seen here

The picture above shows the lake when full,covering eighty acres.  Scroll down to see the recorded levels list.

Our lake, Upper Bittell Reservoir, is a feeder for the Birmingham - Worcester canal and the water is effectively 'owned' by British Waterways.  The sailing club has right of use of it while it is there, however, a long, hot summer, for instance (joke) will inevitably result in a lowering of the level. Or, in the case 0f 2011, British Waterways need to access the dam for repair purposes.

The latest  recorded level is:-

Amount in metres below full.    Date...

2.50. approx.............02/08/2011 British Waterways have turned the valve down a little and there is a good chance that they will close it shortly. Barnt Green Waters are actively seeking assurance that this will take place. Our level is now very similar to that in the photo' below.

1.60. approx..............06/07/2011 With the valve open the lake has drained to the point where Perch bank has only @ 35 cms of cover.

0.75..........................03/06/2011 Level continues to drop and the dry spring is not helping.

0.30..........................25/04/2011 Water level has dropped due to dry weather and British Waterways draw down.

0.00 .........................01/03/2011 Upper Bittell is full following the rain and snow of the 2010 / 2011 winter

Perch Bank in all its glory! This picture, taken on 24/10/2006 and 2.4 metres below full, was the last time the level was low enough for the bank to be exposed. Some new members are curious about what all the fuss is about when the "old hands" rattle on about it. The orange bouy to the right is No. 5 and just off the picture to the left would be No. 4. As can be seen, this image is taken looking easterly from the side of the clubhouse. British Waterways are having to lower the level in order to inspect the erosion to the dam wall that has been undercut and will require serious repair either this year (2011) or soon after once they can allocate funds to the job.

Click HERE to view photographs showing the lake at various levels between 1934 and 2006

and HERE to view a second page with the latest 2008 images and a super picture from 1934

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