The Hampstead Heath Ponds Project—achieving dam safety in a highly sensitive area

This paper will describe the works currently being undertaken on Hampstead Heath. There are three ‘statutory reservoirs’ on Hampstead Heath but two chains of more than 12 reservoirs. This paper will describe the process followed which identified a significant deficiency in spillway capacity down the two chains, the way in which the flood study calculations were carried out, the risk assessments made, and the design decisions made.

The works include a new embankment and a raised dam to provide additional flood storage capacity. The paper will describe the significant amount of consultation undertaken and the concerns voiced by the stakeholders.