Balderhead Reservoir

In 1956, an upsurge in the chemical industry on Teesside led ICI to negotiate increased water supply from the Tees Valley Water Board. The first site considered, Cow Green, was above Cauldron Snout and was in a sensitive habitat area, so Balderhead was built instead. The site was initially built as a direct supply route of water to Teesside, but later became a river-regulating reservoir, ensuring that water was available for the River Tees. Cow Green Reservoir was built later, though the approval process was protracted due to the loss of habitat for the Teesdale violet plant. Balderhead, which was originally in the North Riding of Yorkshire, was approved for recreational activities by the…