Ward's Reservoir

{{Short description|Reservoir in Lancashire, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox body of water

| name = Ward's Reservoir

| image = Ward's Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1091712.jpg

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| location = Lancashire, England

| coordinates = {{coord|53|38|17|N|2|30|2|W|region:GB|display=inline,title}}

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| area = {{convert|0.3|km2|abbr=on}}

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| max-depth = {{convert|24.4|m|ft|abbr=on}}

| volume = {{convert|150000|m3|abbr=on}}

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|pushpin_map = United Kingdom Blackburn with Darwen

|pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Blackburn with Darwen

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Ward's Reservoir (or Wards Reservoir), known locally as the Blue Lagoon, is a small reservoir close to the village of Belmont, Lancashire, England. It is in the West Pennine Moors north of Bolton.{{cite web|url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/bolton3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030813001114/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/bolton3.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=13 August 2003|title=Manchester UK website|accessdate=11 February 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.northturton.com/belmont/bel_01.html|title=northturton.com|accessdate=11 February 2010|archive-date=2 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102093331/http://www.northturton.com/belmont/bel_01.html|url-status=dead}}

The reservoir did not supply drinking water but was built to supply water to Rycroft Works in the early 19th century. It was enlarged in 1893 by Deacons who used the water to supply Belmont Bleachworks.{{Citation |url=http://www.daveweb.co.uk/whvol2.pdf |title=Winter Hill Scrapbook |page=26 |publisher=Dave Lane |accessdate=30 January 2011 |archive-date=24 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724134923/http://www.daveweb.co.uk/whvol2.pdf |url-status=dead }}

It holds 150,000 cubic metres of water, with a surface area of 28,000 square metres, when full.{{Citation|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/8187878.Plug_is_pulled_on_Blue_Lagoon/|title=Plug is pulled on the Blue lagoon|date=27 May 2010 |publisher= The Bolton News |accessdate=30 January 2011}} Most of the reservoir is only a few feet deep, but it has a depth of about {{Convert|80|ft}} at its deepest point.[http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/8298588.___Water_difference_three_days_makes___/ Water difference three days makes]

The reservoir was drained by its owner, Belmont Holdings, in 2010, despite efforts by local residents to save it. It had fallen into a state of disrepair following the closure of the bleachworks,{{Citation | title = Cash secured to help study Belmont beauty spot| date = October 2008 | url = http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/darwen/northturton/3719336.Cash_secured_to_help_study_Belmont_beauty_spot/ | publisher = the Lancashire Telegraph| accessdate = 30 January 2011}} and was considered a flood risk by the Environment Agency.

By the end of August 2010 heavy rain had refilled the reservoir, and in September 2010 it was sold for £50,000. The buyer is thought to be a Horwich-based consortium who will renovate and develop the reservoir for recreational use.{{Citation | title = Blue Lagoon is sold to consortium for £50k| date = 21 September 2010 | url = http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/8403843.Blue_Lagoon_is_sold_to_consortium_for___50k/ | publisher = the Bolton News| accessdate = 3 March 2011}}