I have been given 1st refusal on the purchase of a local course lake.

The price is right but I am unsure of other expenses I may come across.

The water is 400m by 100m and hasn’t been managed for about ten years.

It shows signs of regular fishing but only from casual users.

I am very tempted to go for it but wouldn’t like some obscure government department or the E.A. to start bunging large bills at me.

Has anyone any experience of owning a disused reservoir?

If your water has an input and an output you will require an abstraction licence.....the cost of which will be dependant on the use and volume of water.

Also it will be covered by the Reservoirs Act and need annual inspection...even if not now.... it will be next year.

Public liability insurance.

You will need your head looking at by a doctor when you get grief from anglers, poachers,walkers....ect

Section 30 consent forms for removal or stocking of fish.

Provision for maintenance.

Will that do for starters...

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Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

if you enjoy your life dont do it.............

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I HATE BUNGS.........

Keep em coming............

I will be able to ask the current owner what he has been paying over the years for all these add ons but I will need to know them all..........

I may even sound like I know what I am talking about..........

This is a very attractive offer on the surface but I need to know more of the pitfalls.

Cheers chaps......

My consultancy now after the first free session...the meter is running

Planning consents...TPO's ect

Bio control.... algal blooms.....parasitic infection.....fungal infection.

Predator control.....avian, mammalian

Invasive species.....native , non native flora and fauna

Ecology control.....BAP's......pollution

Security

Next set of answers are time and a half

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Two things to have in life - A good bed and a good pair of boots -and if you aren't in one you should be in t'other

Good advice offered already,

We are in the middle of a heatwave, get down there take water temp morning, afternoon & evening, it may get too hot for trout. See if the EA can come down & take an oxygen reading for you or borrow a meter & do it yourself.

Is the lake spring fed or from a stream?

If its spring do the springs run all summer, if it’s a stream whats above you, any obvious pollution risk?

Whats the average depth? For trout to be comfortable you will need areas where you have a depth of 10ft or more.

Weed is it a problem, expensive to sort if it is.

OK is this a hobby or commercial, if your looking to make money have a look at where your customer base is coming from, is it a strong coarse fishing or fly fishing area. On the size of the water making money selling day permits for trout may not be easy, if the water is OK for trout then look at the possibility of a syndicate, no bailiff / manager wages.

Also if your thinking trout where is your nearest fish farm & the next nearest one, get quotes.

Check with the EA to see if there are any reported problems with the water, fish kills etc.

If your thinking it may be better for coarse fishing have a word with this group www.pcfa.co.uk

I have a friend that looked at doing this. The thing that really put him off was the taking on of liability for the dam. A lot of costs involved for inspection and maintenance.

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But Jesus beheld them and said unto them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

What are you going to do through the winter months?Would ice be a problem.

Access to the water for the public,who actual owns that?As some are private and they could stop access if its not yours.

Facilities ie toilets etc.

Most others have been covered very well and good advice.Its not a thing to take on lightly and sign your life away it is long hours with many pitfalls and not as easy as people think.In current climates don t go borrowing funds .

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Kevin

Sorry to add to the reasons why not! reservoir act is being amended and you are likely to be charged for inundation mapping, the EA are subbing this work out to consultants and costs have yet to be confirmed, but initial costs talked about are quite alarming. Suggest you contact the EA and make enquiries with them before agreeing to take on this water.

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Alan

Most important of all. Is there room for a pub!!