| Grand Vaux Reservoir | Grand Vaux reservoir is located in St. saviour and was constructed in 1952. The reservoir holds just over 50 million gallons. The dam is 141m long and 15m high. |
In this, the second, of a series of five articles, Simon Ward introduces us to the inland water at Grand Vaux in St. Saviour. There's also a chance to listen again the original radio broadcast, by clicking on the audio link at the top of this page. Located not far out of town in the parish of St. Saviour, Grand Vaux Reservoir was the first big development by the Water Works company after the occupation of Jersey during the second World War. It was completed in 1952.  | | The still waters of Grand Vaux |
It’s not open to the general public but the beautiful area can be viewed from the road side. It is used by members of the Jersey Freshwater Angling Association. It’s stocked with Rainbow and Brown Trout, reared by Jersey Water. Like other stretches of water in Jersey, Grand Vaux also has lots of Rudd and Freshwater Eels. But interestingly these fish were not put there deliberately.  | | Trout thrive beneath the surface |
Rudd are thought to make it to reservoirs via inlet steams. Another theory is that fish eggs are picked up by the webbed feet of ducks and transferred when they land on another area of water. The Common or Freshwater Eels are found in most stretches of British water. They have a complex life cycle and can live for a number of decades. Some years ago there was much excitement at Grand Vaux Reservoir after an escaped Salamander was thought to have made its way to the area. Ducks were apparently seen disappearing from the surface of the water.  | | Water pours through a small sluice. |
A supervisor was dispatched to search for the lizard-like creature. He got the fright of his life when he found the Salamander which it’s claimed was more then 3 foot long!
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