Thirlmere Aqueduct Turns 120
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Academic
The Eight-year Construction Project Involved About 3,000 Men
Thirlmere Aqueduct was constructed to supply Manchester with drinking water drawn from a Lake District reservoir.
Water began to flow on 12 October 1894 and arrived at a specially-constructed ceremonial fountain in the city the following day, to the jubilation of onlookers who stood with cups to get the first sip.
Thirlmere Aqueduct was constructed to supply Manchester with drinking water drawn from a Lake District reservoir.
Water began to flow on 12 October 1894 and arrived at a specially-constructed ceremonial fountain in the city the following day, to the jubilation of onlookers who stood with cups to get the first sip.
A reservoir to supply the aqueduct was constructed at Thirlmere. This lake was chosen because its height above sea level meant gravity could be used to get the water to Manchester. There are no pumps along the aqueduct's length.
The eight-year construction project involved about 3,000 men.
According to one story, two teams of navvies started on opposite sides of the mountain at Dunmail Raise, near Grasmere, and met in the middle just eight inches (20cm) off centre.
Now owned by United Utilities, the aqueduct also supplies communities in Keswick, Lancaster and the Fylde Coast. It takes water about 36 hours to reach Manchester, moving at walking pace.
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