Green Light Given to Secure Future of Nearly 200-Year-Old Reservoir

Plans aimed at securing the long-term future of Kionslieu Reservoir near Foxdale have been approved by planners.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) received planning permission today (Monday) for a series of safety and improvement works at the historic Victorian-era reservoir, which has served the local area for almost 200 years.

The approved scheme will see a range of upgrades carried out to bring the structure in line with modern dam safety standards following inspections which identified concerns with the reservoir walls.

Works will include reshaping the banks, installing new pipework and a new overflow system, as well as improvements to site access and the restoration of a nearby footpath.

Once completed, the project will also allow water levels to be raised again after they were lowered in 2019 as a precautionary safety measure.

DEFA Minister Clare Barber MHK welcomed the approval, describing it as a major step forward for the project.

‘It’s a significant milestone for the project,’ she said.

‘The works will secure the future of Kionslieu Reservoir for generations to come, strengthening dam stability, improving flood management, and protecting its environmental and recreational value. We look forward to work getting under way.’

Kionslieu Reservoir was originally constructed around 1830 to power the Louisa Mine waterwheel, supplying water used in the processing of mined metals during the island’s mining boom.

Although the reservoir ceased industrial use by the end of the 19th century, it has since become an important wildlife habitat as well as a popular recreational area for walkers and visitors.

The proposed improvements are intended not only to address structural concerns, but also to preserve the site’s environmental and historical significance.

The reservoir’s water level has remained reduced since 2019 following engineering assessments which highlighted the need for modernisation works to ensure compliance with current safety regulations.

The newly approved scheme is expected to strengthen the dam’s overall resilience and improve flood management capabilities in the surrounding area.

Work on the project is currently scheduled to begin in 2027.