Overview:

Wallings is an artificial reservoir located in the northwest corner of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located on the Mallard Forest and covers an area of approximately 13,000 acres. It is surrounded by sharp cliffs and is also known as the Mallard Reservoir. It was created in the late nineteenth century by Antiguans to provide fresh water for the colonial sugar industry. Wallings is the largest reservoir in the Caribbean and is a major source of drinking water for the island. It also provides recreation, fishing, boating, and bird watching opportunities for tourists and local people. The reservoir is home to over 120 species of birds, and is popular for bird watching. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Antigua-and-Barbuda
Prominent Features:

1. Wallings Reservoir is the largest body of freshwater in Antigua and Barbuda. 2. It is located in the North-East of the country, near the Barbuda Airport and Greencastle Point. 3. It was created in 1925 by the digging of the Dreddon’s Mountain Reservoir. 4. The reservoir has a maximum depth of 19 meters and a surface area of 154 hectares. 5. It has an average depth of four meters and the total capacity is 10.8 million cubic meters. 6. The reservoir is used to irrigate local farmers’ fields, for domestic consumption and for recreation purposes. 7. The reservoir provides drinking water for the local people and is also a popular spot for fishing. 8. The reservoir is lined with dark loam soils to aid vegetation growth and keep warm. 9. Over time the reservoir has accumulated a great deal of silt and waterweed, which has contributed to reducing the drawdown capacity. 10. The reservoir is home to many species of animals and plants, including Caribbean Coot, Snowy Egret, Limpkin, and Common Gallinule just to name a few. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Antigua-and-Barbuda.

History:

Wallings Reservoir in Antigua and Barbuda is one of the oldest man-made reservoirs in the Caribbean region. It was built in the early 19th century to serve as a water source for the island. The reservoir was built by the British colonial government, at a time when the island had limited access to fresh water. The reservoir is located at the head of Wallings Pass, a gorge that stretches inland from the west coast of the island. The Wallings Reservoir syphons water from a number of rivers and nearby springs to supply the population of St. John's and surrounding areas. Back in the day, the reservoir was an important lifeline for the island, supplying a reliable water source to the population. As the island population grew, so did the demand for water, leading to several additions to the reservoir. In 1821, two additional reservoirs were built in the area, the Spursey Reservoir and the Paynters Reservoir. The function of these two reservoirs was to collect and store rainwater, regardless of the season, before sending it to the Wallings Reservoir. In the 1920s, the island's access to water improved significantly with the construction of several new water pipelines and supply networks. These new methods allowed for a more efficient distribution of water and consequently, the demand for water from the Wallings Reservoir decreased. This freed up the reservoir for more recreational purposes and today, the Wallings Reservoir is a popular spot for swimming, kayaking, and other recreational activities. Today, Wallings Reservoir continues to serve as an important water supply for the island of Antigua and Barbuda and remains an iconic part of the landscape. It is a symbol of the island’s long history and its resilience in the face of changing times. Visit one of the famous monuments of Antigua-and-Barbuda with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Wallings Reservoir is located on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean. 2. It is the largest manmade fresh water lake in Antigua-and-Barbuda, covering an area of 70 acres. 3. The reservoir supplies fresh water for domestic use and irrigation to nearby villages. 4. Wallings Reservoir is home to a variety of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. 5. The reservoir was created in 1966 as part of the effort to provide water to the people of Antigua-and-Barbuda. 6. The reservoir is connected to two separate pipes, one supplying water to the capital city of St.John’s and the other to the Government House of Antigua-and-Barbuda. 7. The reservoir is fed by water from the Wadadli River in the northeast. 8. There is a network of canals which are used to divert water from the reservoir and direct it towards fields used for agriculture. 9. The presence of Wallings Reservoir has significantly reduced water scarcity in Antigua-and-Barbuda. One of the historical monuments of Antigua-and-Barbuda, it tells the story of a bygone era