Gouthwaite Reservoir is a reservoir

Reservoir

A reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...

 in Nidderdale

Nidderdale

Nidderdale is one of the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England. It is the upper valley of the River Nidd, which flows south through the dale, forming several reservoirs including the Gouthwaite Reservoir, before turning east and eventually joining the River Ouse.The only town in the dale is...

, North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...

, England

England

England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

. It is one of many in the area, others include Roundhill Reservoir

Roundhill Reservoir

Roundhill Reservoir is situated near Leighton Reservoir in North Yorkshire, England. It was constructed by Harrogate Corporation early in the 20th century. Water from the reservoir is fed into Yorkshire Water's grid....

 and Angram Reservoir

Angram Reservoir

Angram Reservoir is the first of three reservoirs on the River Nidd in Upper Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, England, the others being Scar House Reservoir and finally the compensation reservoir Gouthwaite Reservoir. It is located at OS map reference...

.

Gouthwaites sole purpose is a compensation reservoir for the River Nidd

River Nidd

The River Nidd is a tributary of the River Ouse in the English county of North Yorkshire. In its first few miles it is dammed three times to create Angram Reservoir, Scar House Reservoir and Gouthwaite Reservoir which attract around 150,000 visitors a year...

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Gouthwaite Reservoir is a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The reservoir is owned by Yorkshire Water which has created three viewing areas for bird watchers on the edge of the reservoir. Tree and shrub cover along the shoreline provides a habitat for small birds such as Willow Warbler and Blackcap. Other records include woodland specialists like Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. Green Woodpecker is has also been recorded.

In winter, after the summer migrants have gone, the reservoir margins are good for Fieldfares and Redwings. On the reservoir itself, Canada Geese are always present and are joined during the autumn and winter by Goosanders and Goldeneye accompanied by Mallard, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Whooper swans from Iceland frequently join them.

Winter is also a good time for birds of prey with Buzzard, Red Kite, Hen Harriers, Merlins and Kestrels being observed around the reservoir and the surrounding moorland. Ospreys and Golden Eagles are frequently observed on passage.

It is also the reservoir featured on the opening credits of the UK Soap drama, Emmerdale.