Stark images taken just weeks apart have shown a popular Edinburgh reservoir within the Pentland Hills almost completely drained of water.
One image, taken on August 12, and the other, taken on Monday, September 5, are almost unrecognisable as Threipmuir Reservoir, a popular spot with walkers and swimmers within the Pentlands, has been all but drained, with Edinburgh Council confirming that this is due to a combination of the incredibly dry summer and maintaining a compensation flow to the Water of Leith.
The images, posted in a local Facebook group by a concerned local, shows the reservoir full of water just weeks before the water level was completely dropped. The council added that the upper part of Threipmuir at Redford Bridge, known as Bavelaw Marsh, has been deliberately drawn down over the past two weeks to take advantage of low water levels in the main reservoir.
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In recent months, during a summer that gave people in Scotland the hottest day on record in the country, several regular walkers around the Pentlands have also submitted images and noticed the water levels within the area dropping to a scale in which they have never witnessed.
A statutory environmental survey will be carried out at Threipmuir and council rangers can manage the discharge flows from the reservoir so that there is less impact on Harlaw, another popular location within the Pentlands, and Harperrig, in which all three will naturally fall during increased dry spells.
A few weeks of predicated heavy downpours will be a much welcomed sight in terms of increasing the reservoir to its natural level, as the incredibly hot and dry summer has played a big part in drying up one of the most scenic areas within the Pentlands.
Being one of the largest reservoirs within the hills, the latest image is particularly striking as the green undergrowth and marsh land that sits beneath the water is visible and stretches as far as the eye can see into the distance.
Labour Councillor Stephen Jenkinson commented: "The low water level at Threipmuir reservoir is a concern locally and I have had constituents contact me worried that Threipmuir seems to be running very low indeed. We have had a particularly dry summer this year which is undoubtedly the main reason behind this and it does happen from time to time, even in Scotland!
"Climate change will undoubtedly exacerbate issues like we are seeing at Threipmuir so I’d encourage everyone to manage their water usage wisely. Doing so will save energy, save money, is good for the environment, and will reduce the risk of hosepipe bans like we see in other parts of the UK during extended dry spells."
SNP Councillor Neil Gardiner added: "Threipmuir reservoir is popular locally within Pentland Hills Regional Park and is also used to assist to manage water levels in the Water of Leith. Given how empty Threipmuir has become in recent weeks, as shown in the pictures, the recent downpours of the last couple of days may help go some way towards replenishing the reservoir."
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