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 9 acres, but have all water rights over 1750 acres, and 

 part rights over 450 acres. There are four habitations and 

 1 8 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 

 JSFardus 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, 1|- 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." 



p 



