Pitsford Water

Pitsford Reservoir

Site of Special Scientific Interest
Northern section of Pitsford Water, with mute swans and dragonfly sculpture
Location	Northamptonshire
Grid reference	SP 773 701[1]
Interest	Biological
Area	413.1 hectares[1]
Notification	1984[1]
Location map	[ Magic Map]

Pitsford Water or Pitsford Reservoir is a 413 hectare reservoir and biological Site of Special Scientific Interest east of Brixworth in Northamptonshire.^[1][2] It is owned by Anglian Water, which manages it as a water park for walking, cycling, fishing, sailing and birdwatching.^[3] An area of 181 hectares north of the causeway which divides the reservoir is the Pitsford Water Nature Reserve, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.^[4]

History and location

The reservoir was built in 1956 to supply the town of Northampton, which is about 6 miles to the south. Holcot bridge was drowned when it filled and was replaced by a causeway a quarter mile further south. The water is the 34th largest in England and Wales, with a surface area of 2.85 square miles. The reservoir is near the village of Pitsford, from which it is named. It is also close to Brixworth village and Brixworth Country Park, with Holcot on its eastern side.

Ecology

This is the largest body of water in the county, and is used by wintering wildfowl, including the northern shoveler in nationally important numbers. Over 60 species of birds breed on the site, such as the great crested grebe, little grebe, teal, kingfisher and reed warbler.^[5][4]

Fishing

The water is run as a trout fishery by Anglian Water, on a season ticket and day ticket basis, with boat hire available. Predator fishing is available in the winter months, mainly for pike. Trout are stocked at around 2lb in weight. The Pitsford Water brown trout record was set in October 2017 by season ticket holder Bob Collins with a fish of 15lb 8oz.

Access

There is public access to the water park, and a permit from the fishing lodge is required to visit the nature reserve.^[3]

References

1. "Designated Sites View: Pitsford Reservoir". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
2. "Map of Pitsford Reservoir". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
3. "Pitsford Water Park". Anglian Water. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
4. "Pitsford Water Nature Reserve". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
5. "Pitsford Reservoir citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 20 December 2016.