Amwell Street Reservoir
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Amwell Street reservoir Credit: Robin Hall
The reservoir originated as the Upper or High Pond, dug in 1708 to provide a higher head of water than the Round Pond at New River Head, allowing New River water to be supplied to the West End. It was itself supplied by pump from New River Head. The pond was sited on the highest local ground, at the top of 'Islington Hill'. ( BHO)
Clerkenwell 101
30 By the 17th century, the River Fleet had become overused and polluted. Mills, meat markets, tanneries and other industries grew up along the banks, polluting the river with blood, sewage and the occasional dead body. In 1613 Hugh Myddelton created the New River (actually, a canal) which brought a plentiful supply of water 39 miles from springs in Amwell and Chadwell in Hertfordshire. A reservoir was built at the top of Amwell Street. The clean water attracted brewers and plenty of gin distillers.
New River Head and London's Water Industry - A London Inheritance
New River Head in north Clerkenwell was key in the history of London's water supply. Amwell Street, Myddleton Passage and Myddleton Square tell the story
alondoninheritance.com
New River Head and London's Water Industry - A London Inheritance • alondoninheritance.com
New River (London) - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
New River (London) - Wikipedia • en.wikipedia.org
Amwell Street and Myddelton Square area - British History Online
Upper Pond and Claremont Square Reservoir
The reservoir originated as the Upper or High Pond, dug in 1708 to provide a higher head of water than the Round Pond at New River Head, allowing New River water to be supplied to the West End. It was itself supplied by pump from New River Head. The pond was sited on the highest local ground, at the top of 'Islington Hill'. Almost square, with sides of about 200 ft, the one-acre pond was a substantial excavation for its time. It was part of a commercially important new departure for the New River Company, experimentally and expensively engineered by George Sorocold after years of discussion (see Chapter VI). To begin with, the pond was an open body of water with a sluice house on its south side; anglers availed themselves of its banks (Ills 208 on page 165, 239 on page 187). In 1757, following the formation of the New Road, it was enclosed by a 'high brick wall'. (fn. 1)
https://www.amwellstreet.com/history
Planning brief for the area 2013
#History #C101