With Scotland seeing heavier rainfall more often, the importance of safeguarding our reservoirs has never been clearer.
Forestry and Land Scotland is pushing ahead with detailed inspections of the 16 lochans under its care, seven of which are significant enough to be regulated by SEPA under The Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011.
Reservoirs that hold more than 25,000 cubic metres of water must be regularly inspected, monitored and maintained to prevent any potential breaches.
Such failures could lead to sudden, dangerous flooding downstream, and in a landscape like ours, that’s a risk not worth taking.
Civil Engineer Alan Dickerson, who oversees the structural well-being of these reservoirs, is keenly aware of the challenges that ageing infrastructure and increasingly volatile weather present.
Many of the reservoirs were constructed more than a century ago with earth embankment dams, standing about 5 metres high and stretching up to 100 metres in length.
Alan says overtopping and erosion are the primary concerns, but the historic dams have stood the test of time thanks to consistent care and close attention.
Safety checks include monitoring water levels, inspecting the crest, clearing channels, and recording flow – all essential steps when faced with intensifying storms and rainfall.
Some of the reservoirs are also fitted with emergency release valves, which are tested to ensure they can still operate effectively if ever needed.
Only one incident has been logged in recent years, at Glencoe in 2023, when a dislodged boulder jammed an open valve, causing the reservoir to drain unintentionally.
It was resolved safely and served as a reminder that even well-maintained systems can experience unexpected hiccups.
SEPA assigns each reservoir a risk category – high, medium, or low – based on the impact a breach might have on communities and landscapes below.
Of FLS’s registered lochans, four are considered high risk, two medium, and one low, and all are subject to regular checks by Scottish Government approved engineers.
Annual compliance reports are submitted to SEPA, ensuring transparency and accountability in the maintenance regime.
Recent upgrades to the Glencoe and Bruntis reservoirs included improvements to spillways and dam crest height – a project costing nearly £500,000, significantly less than dismantling them entirely.
David Cooper of SEPA praised FLS’s dedication to reservoir safety, noting that responsible management means thorough, ongoing inspection and readiness for action.
Beyond the engineering and regulation, these reservoirs have become havens for wildlife and scenic places for visitors.
Some double as backdrops for weddings, while others – like the Pitlochry reservoir – add magic to events like the Enchanted Forest.
Whether treasured by communities or tucked away in the quiet corners of our countryside, these lochans are being carefully watched over, preserved for both beauty and safety.
