Isle of Man Guide

Above Sea Level:	500ft
Built:	Commenced 1900, opened 1905
Capacity:	300.74 M.G.
Location:	Northwest of Douglas
Max Depth:	71ft
Parking:	Ample, close by
Surface Area:	41.5 acres
Type:	Fly fish or spin

History

In 1900, Douglas Corporation commissioned the building of a reservoir at Injebreck. At its completion in 1905, the reservoir was called West Baldwin and had cost the corporation 77 thousand pounds to build. The reservoir has a height of 22.5 metres, depth of 20 metres, is nearly three quarters of a mile long and 300 yards wide. The reservoir has a surface area of 16.8 hectars and can hold up to 300 million gallons of water. It has a 18 inch cast iron draw off pipe and a 12 inch cast iron scour pipe. It also has another 12 inch pipe as a spare intake pipe.

Located just six miles north of Douglas, the site was still far enough away to need a its own railway line. The line opened at the start of 1901 and Douglas Corporation bought a locomotive, later named Injebreck, and many wagons to run along the three miles of track off the main line. Around 250 men were employed to build the reservoir. Most wanted to live in Douglas and so a basic carriage, later known as Charabanc, was arranged for their transport along the railway. Due to freak weather conditions and damage to the railway track and bridges another engine, known as Ardwhallin, was brought on board. As the railway line was extended in 1904 to five miles another engine, Hannah, joined the other two.

The reservoir is located on the site of an old village, the remains of which can be seen when the reservoir is near empty. The site of the reservoir is popular for films due to its resemblance to Scottish Lowlands.

Location

The West Baldwin Reservoir (with a capacity of 300 million gallons) is located near the centre of the Island. A main road goes past the end of the dam.