WALLINGS
RESERVOIR
One of the finest mixed evergreen deciduous
forest walks may be had at Wallings. Proceed
westerly from John Hughes village up a slight
gradient. At the top on turning to the left, is
the pumping station of Wallings reservoir. From
the station, start walking westerly to find the
footpath that leads to the reservoir. |
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After walking
about half a mile along dry scrubland with
scattered trees, the spillway of the dam appears.
The workmanship of this fine example of Victorian
industrial architecture is truly magnificent with
its rounded capping and small round tower. The
reservoir was started in 1890, but there were
complaints in 1897 that it could not hold water.
However, it was finally finished to perfection in
1900. It was designed to hold 13 million gallons.
Nine years later it had to be repaired again. It
was then supplying thirty water tanks in fifteen
villages. |
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| In 1912, after
three years of drought, Wallings became empty,
but later heavy rains fell in October and
November of that year. A small additional dam
creating the Fig Tree reservoir next to the main
road was finished in November 1945. This was used
to pump additional water up to Wallings. Together
these two reservoirs cover 268 acres with a
storage volume of 50 acres/ft. |
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| In 1915, 13 acres
of the reservoir catchment area were sown with
tree seeds with a view to reforestation, as the
area had become denuded after the turn of the
century. In recent years some attention has been
focused for both watershed protection and
forestry products. Follow the east bank and find
a rough footpath that meanders upwards into the
forest. Proceed slowly and quietly to listen and
watch for birds. If you are lucky you could
observe a black whiskered vireo (Vireo
altiloquus), Antillean euphonia (Euphonia musica)
or a red-necked pigeon (Columba squamosa). On
your way back, explore the back of the reservoir
where some interesting water diversion channels
and sediment traps can be seen. |
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| The predominant
tree species are locust (Hymenaea courbaril),
ironwood (Exostema caribaeum), mahoe (Daphnosis
caribaea), black loblolly (Pisonia fragrans), and
mango, (Mangifera indica). Of the mid-level types
are white cedar (Tabebuia pallida), turpentine
(Bursera simaruba), and gunstock (Gauzuma
martinicense). In the lower level are mahogany
(Swietenia mohogani), Spanish oak (Inga laurina)
and white prickle (Zanthoxylum martinicense). In a certain area near the
reservoir, picnic tables have been installed.
Plan to make an outing into this section of
Antigua's forest - a perfect place for peace and
quiet in this bustling world - full of history
and natural history.
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This article
courtesy
The Museum of Antigua & Barbuda
and
The Dockyard Museum.
Visit Explore Antigua for places of interest, museums,
historical and general information on Antigua &
Barbuda.
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