Memories of Hury Reservoir

We often walk in the Baldersdale area which is where the Hury Reservoir {NY 965 196} is located - see the map below.


The reservoir lies about four miles south of Middleton-in-Teesdale and three miles to the west of Cotherstone. The dam was built in 1892 for the Stockton and Middlesbrough Water Board. It was named after the small village of Hury which lies on its northern bank (see map). The reservoir was emptied in 1991 for maintenance by Northumbrian Water Limited, Teesdale area. 

The dam structure 'bridges' the River Balder as it flows east to join the River Tees at Cotherstone. Hury is one of three reservoirs that are located in Baldersdale; the other two being Blackton and Balderhead which lie further upstream - to the west of Hury. The three reservoirs (like those in Lunedale - which is further north) play host to both walkers and fisherman - all of whom enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility and solitude of this outstanding area.

Here is a picture taken from the parapet of the reservoir - looking in a south-westerly direction towards Goldsborough (on the horizon).


And here is a short video clip (taken from the south-bank) showing the extent of the dam.



Press the left-most button to start the video.

Some time ago, Brent Whittaker sent me four really good photographs that he took during the C-walk in Baldersdale on Sunday, 21st January, 2007. Essentially, the photos show different views of the Hury Reservoir taken from the north shore as they approached the dam from the east. The rightmost photograph is taken from a point furthest from the dam. Notice that in the left-most photograph Goldsborough shows up quite well on the horizon.

Click on the button below if you would like to have a look at these photos.





Further information on Baldersdale and the Hury Reservoir
Hury Reservoir can be found on Wikipedia.

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