The whole project was completed in 1871, after the inevitable problems of soaring costs (£142,000 against a budget of £126,000) and extended timescales.
The Dam
A dam was built at the eastern end of the shallow valley. The dam is 760 yards long and rises to a height of 51 feet at its highest point, which gives a depth of water of 38 feet.
The dam is constructed of Swithland slate with a centre core of puddled clay, obtained from land to the north side of the reservoir still known as "Puddledyke".
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Puddledyke Clay Pit
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Slate gatepost at village end of the dam
New Road
![](http://www.thurcastoncropstonhistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/redirected-road.gif)
Sketch showing original line of redirected road
© 2017 Thurcaston & Cropston Local History Society
The first section of the original road, from its junction on Station Road between The Thatch and Corner Cottage, still exists.