Since the mid 1970's there have been discussions regarding the creation of a reservoir near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. The scheme was abandoned in 1993 at the consultation stage but since the water shortage problem has worsened over the last few years Thames Water have started to consider the construction of this reservoir again. If it goes ahead the reservoir is expected to cover an area of 3.75km by 2.5km between Steventon and Hanney; an area chosen due to low housing density. The reservoir would hold 150 cubic metres of water, half the volume of Lake Windermere. Public consultation is due in 2009, start of construction in 2011 and completion by 2019 at a cost of £1 billion.
The above co-ordinates are for the cache location. The cache has been placed near to the proposed centre of the reservoir so when you are walking to the cache take a few moments to imagine this whole area under water. Parking is available at N51° 38.009 W001° 21.848. Please don't block the road or access to the field. From the parking spot to the cache is just over half a mile along a concrete road for most of the way and then a track which will get muddy and is unsuitable for buggies etc.
The cache is placed near a stretch of the Wilts and Berks Canal. More information on the canal can be found at http://www.wilts-berks-canal.org.uk/. Due to the proximity of water care should be taken when caching with geokiddies. Please make sure the cache is well hidden when replacing it in its hiding spot so it is not exposed.
The cache is a medium sized clip type container which when hidden contained a Fisher Space Pen, kangaroo keyring, fan, and mobile phone sticker along with the usual logbook and pencil.
Edit: November 2020
Although the planned reservoir has not materialised the cache is now next to a large solar farm.
If you park in the recommended location it is worth walking a little further than the cache location as the canal opens up and can be clearly seen. Geokids and geodogs will love it there.