This is the latest glimpse of the dramatic changes that have taken place at Chasewater.

Billions of gallons of water have been drained from the reservoir to allow multi-million pound repair work on the dam.

A crisis report prepared by Lichfield District Council warned urgent action was needed to prevent catastrophic flooding.

Following preliminary work over the last few months, the project is set to begin in earnest next week. Boreholes and trial pits have been dug to gather vital information about the reservoir and dam.

Now contractors’ cabins will be set up and bog mats and hard surfaces laid to enable intensive work to take place.

The project will include building a culvert through the causeway between the reservoir and Jeffrey’s Pool, replacing the bridge on the main dam and installing filters in the dam. The work is needed to ensure the earthworks dam, originally built in 1799, remains safe.

Work should be completed by early 2011 but it will take around three years for water levels in the reservoir to return to normal.

Chasewater was created as a canal feeder reservoir and remains the largest in use in the region today. It attracts over 150,000 visitors each year.

By Matt Nicholls