| Queen's Valley Reservoir | Queen's Valley is the largest reservoir in Jersey and holds 262 million gallons of water. Construction of the reservoir was completed in 1991. The dam is 175 m in length and 24 m high. A 1.9 mile footpath around the reservoir is open to the public. Prior to being flooded, a cottage in Queen's Valley was used as a location in the BBC television series Bergerac. |
In the last of a series of five articles, Simon Ward introduces us to the inland water at Queen's Valley.  | | Reflections at Queen's Valley |
There's also a chance to listen again the series of radio broadcasts, by clicking on the audio link at the top of each page. Queen's Valley Queen's Valley is Jersey's biggest reservoir holding upto 262 million gallons of water. Today it is enjoyed by people who walk around it and by freshwater fishermen. But the original proposals to flood the valley caused great controversy and protest durign the 1980s. There were two campaign groups who organised protests against flooding the valley on environmental grounds. They were 'Save the valley' and 'Concern'. It's estimated 8 thousand people marched through the valley at the height of the protests. The Botanist David Bellamy even came to the island to support the protestors. But in the end the authorities decided a new reservoir was needed.  | | The top pond at Queen's Valley |
For this series on inland water BBC Jersey reunited two people who were on different sides of the flooding argument. Former politician Don Filleul who was a Deputy at the time and in charge of flooding the valley and Craig Leach from the Campaign group 'Concern'. D on Filleul says he stands by the decision to allow a new reservoir. He say's it's served the island well andbenefits the environment. Mr filleul says he was under a great deal of pressure at the time of the protests. Craig Leach says there was overwhelming public support for the protestors during the 1980s. He feels in the end it may have been necessary to flood the valley due to the rising population. But he is still urging Jersey's authorities to improve the efficiency of water management. | 
