A new operating plan for Northumbrian Water’s Kielder Reservoir is to give it a role in protecting the Tyne Valley from flooding. Local people will receive an update on work to reduce flood risk in the Tyne Valley at a public meeting next week.

Northumbrian Water, local MP Guy Opperman, the Environment Agency and Northumberland County Council will explain the work that has been carried out over the last ten months.

Part of this is a new operating plan for Kielder Reservoir which can hold up to 200 billion litres of water, that’s equivalent to 2.5 billion baths.

The plan involves continuing to manage releases of water to the River North Tyne and providing increased storage within the reservoir by operating it at lower levels. During the winter months the aim is to manage Kielder Reservoir at between 76% and 86% full, to provide increased flood storage.

Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency have reviewed historic reservoir level data to understand when best to reduce levels in Kielder Reservoir in order to provide additional flood water storage.

Welcoming the development, local MP, Guy Opperman, praised Northumbrian Water for their agreement to change the level of water stored in Kielder Reservoir over the winter months.

“It is great news that we can use Kielder Reservoir as an extra weapon in our flood defences and relieve the flash flood burden on the North Tyne” he said. “This will make a significant difference to water levels in the North Tyne and help to reduce impact downstream. Of course, it does not provide total protection, but it is a real help to know that several million tonnes of extra water will be stored in Kielder Reservoir due to this change in water levels in the reservoir.” Click here to read more