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Canal water, and where it comes from |
| Canal water has an undeserved poor reputation. In
fact the water in parts of the summit level is of the highest
quality, grade 1, while the rest of the canal is only slightly less
pure at grade 2. From Apperley Bridge to Armley the canal has been
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the
range of aquatic life to be found. The most interesting section here
is the disused arm formerly used by boats delivering coal to Armley
Power Station. British Waterways are justifiably proud of the
quality of their water as the canal is indubitably the region's
cleanest open watercourse.
Water for the canal comes from four reservoirs grouped around the tunnel at Foulridge and from one at Winterburn in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. They feed into the summit level of the canal and are supplemented by several streams and a further two reservoirs at Barrowford and at Rishton, near Blackburn. The canal's reservoirs have a total capacity of 188,250,000 gallons. |
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