SWAN BY TURRET

CHASEWATER

CHASEWATER

History

In 1795, when the Wyrley and Essington canal was being built, a reservoir was needed to maintain the water levels in the canals. An area between Five Ways and the Watling Street in Brownhills was chosen and that area was known as Norton Bog and much of the land had started to sink owing to mining operations and a pool was starting to form.

In 1796, work began on the reservoir, with the diversion of the Crane Brook (tributary of the Tame) and the reservoir was dug out and the excavated material was used to build earthen work dams at the eastern and western edges. The deepest part of the reservoir was 35 feet.

The canal opened in 1797 but had to close due to lack of water and the Crane Brook was re-diverted to fill the reservoir, which soon filled and the accumulated water was fed into the canal system, now able to re-open.

All went well until June 1799 when the eastern dam burst sending millions if gallons of water down the valley therough Ogley Hay towards Shenstone. Bridges and roads were washed away, fields flooded and livestock drowned. The canal company quickly set about rebuilding the dam which was to be thicker and wider and lined with limestone. 

Work commenced on 2nd January 1800, six months after the dam burst and took three months for the new dam to be built and the reservoir refilled. As a security measure, a watch tower was built, with a Mr William Wall being appointed as the first Watchman to inspect the dam and report any defects. Mr Wall paid £2 a year to rent the house and gardens.

The reservoir became known as Norton Pool and the 272 acre area with two cottages was purchased in 1956 by Brownhills Urban District Council from the British Transport Commission for £5,600 and renamed Chasewater.

The lake has been used for water sports and sailing and is the home of the expanding Chasewater Light Railway. The Railway Preservation Society has a tremendous collection of working steam engines and rolling stock and members of the public can ride on a regular basis.

Today, following the improvements partially funded by the M6Toll, there are many new walk and cycleways and the Forest of Mercia Innovation Centre is the hub of a wide range of activities.

On a personal note, as a young child in the 60's living in Birmingham, I had a succession of illnesses and my parents were advised to send me to Switzerland to get some clean air. Well that was out of the question, but my sisters lived near Chasewater and I used to happily spend time in my summer holidays there. 20 years ago, I bought a house near to Chasewater and see Chasewater or Swagmans Pool several times a week and I still quite often cycle or walk around the lake.

I have visited Chasewater for over 40 years and am very fortunate to have such a wonderful facility so close.