Silent Valley Reservoir
The Silent Valley Reservoir ( Irish Taiscumar Ghleann an Chiúnais ) is a reservoir in the Morne Mountains near Kilkeel in County Down in Northern Ireland . It supplies County Down, the surrounding counties and much of Belfast with drinking water. It is operated by Northern Ireland Water Ltd. More than 9,000 workers were involved in the construction between 1923 and 1933.
history
The rapid population growth in Belfast also increased the demand for drinking water, which the two existing catchment areas could no longer satisfy. Mournes was selected from five possible locations on the basis of the water quality and the frequency of precipitation. To protect against grazing cattle, the entire area is surrounded by a 35 km long dry stone wall. The development takes place in three stages:
- First, the water from Kilkeel and Annalong was piped into a reservoir near Carryduff .
- Then a reservoir was built on Kilkeel and more water pipes were laid.
- After lengthy discussions about the technical possibilities, a tunnel was built through the Slieve Binnian to conduct drinking water from the Annalong into the Silent Valley Reservoir.
The Binnian Tunnel
Between 1947 and 1951, more than 150 workers drove the more than 4 km long tunnel through the Slieve Binnian . The Binnian Tunnel ensured Belfast's growing need for drinking water. It was officially opened on August 28, 1952.
Web links
- Silent Valley Visitor Center
- Northern Ireland Water Limited
- Department of Regional Development
- BBC - Article on the history of the Silent Valley
- BBC - Binnian Tunnel
- Newry and Morne tourism
Coordinates: 54 ° 7 ′ 55 ″ N , 6 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ W.