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WATER CATCHMENT AREAS 209 
thus making a total of 2200 acres of catchment area, which 
consists of 1900 acres of hill pasture and moorland and 300 
acres of woodland and plantations. The Corporation only 
own 90 acres, but have all water rights over 1750 acres, and 
part rights over 450 acres. There are four habitations and 
18 farm-steadings on the area. The water is filtered. The 
Macclesfield Forest has been fully described by Miss Lilian 
Baker in Geographical Journal, xlvi. 213, 289 (1915): 
“Popularly described as moorland, it is really grassland, 
of the siliceous type, the drier parts having Nardus stricta 
dominant, with Agrostis alba and canina, Luzula campestris, 
and various species of Carex. The grey colour of the 
Nardus during autumn, winter, and early spring adds 
largely to the bleak aspect of the district. The wetter 
parts, with Molinia coerulea dominant, have also heather, 
Erica cinerea and tetralix, Scirpus caespitosus, and various 
species of Juncus. The upland farms are now largely given 
up to sheep and cattle rearing, but the nearness of indus- 
trial centres, the excellence of the roads, and the industry 
of the farmers are shown in the height to which cultivation 
has been pushed. Oats occur up to 1000 feet, and wheat 
ascends to 500 feet. Owing to the effect of wind, trees are 
now confined to sheltered valleys. Birch occurs on steep 
slopes high up. Scots pine has been extensively planted, 
and been very successful. Afforesting would need so much 
capital that the farmer prefers the smaller profits and 
quicker returns of sheep farming.” 
Glossop obtains its water supply from Swinshaw 
reservoir, 13 miles north of the town, and situated on the 
Blackshaw Clough stream, with a catchment area of 500 
acres on Blake Moor, between 733 and 1200 feet elevation. 
The gathering ground is entirely hill pasture and moorland, 
without any habitations or farmsteads, and is free from 
contamination. None of the area is owned by the 
Corporation. “The water, before reaching the reservoir, 
passes through a settling tank ; flood water is turned to waste. 
The water, which is not filtered, is found pure on analysis.” 
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