Water Engineering Case Studies

As lake and water engineering specialists, we design, construct, and maintain a wide range of water features and solutions. Serving both major national organisations and private homes our water engineering case studies highlight our expertise in constructing ponds, reservoirs, and lagoons of all shapes, sizes and complexities.

For further information, see our lake construction and natural swimming ponds and reservoir and lagoon construction services pages.

We’d be thrilled to discuss your water engineering requirements, please contact us on 01865 736 272 or email us.

Restoration of 18th century gardens and parkland

With such historic features, the substantial gardens and parkland, spanning 126 acres required the specialist design and restoration expertise that White Horse Contractors possess.

  • Desilting and restoration of pools with traditional clay lining
  • Formation of water cascades with specially selected local stone
  • Land drainage systems to the Parkland
  • Pumped water recirculation system

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Freshwater Habitat Creation for The River Thame Conservation Trust

Our Water Engineering specialists led the successful creation of a freshwater habitat for the River Thame Conservation Trust.
  • Freshwater habitat construction
  • Creation of a fish refuge with direct access to the River Thame
  • Overcoming challenging site access whilst maintaining sensitive ecosystems
  • Delivering to schedule despite testing weather conditions

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Luxury garden lake and waterfall construction

Construction of beautiful outdoor / indoor garden entertainment area for private clients.

  • Construction of garden entertainment area.
  • Pond, waterfall, duck house, bridge & aquatic planting.
  • Yorkshire stone patio and paved path.
  • Entertainment building/ bar and seating.

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Reservoir and wetlands construction

White Horse Contractors were appointed by Donald Steel & Co. to carry out the survey work, design and construction of this 5.5million gallon irrigation reservoir, complete with wetland habitats and margins.

  • Survey work, design and working-drawing production.
  • 5.5million gallon irrigation reservoir.
  • The reservoir was artificially lined and topsoil was replaced over the margins and wetland habitats.

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Private lake and island construction

The 6.5-million-gallon private lake, approximately five acres in size, was formed in a field directly in front of the main house, giving the home a wonderful new aspect. The lake features an island, bridge, boat jetty, and weir - all constructed by White Horse Contractors.

  • Constructed out of the natural clay with White Horse Contractors’ earth moving equipment.
  • Shingle beaches were constructed, making it possible to fish, while wading in 800mm or 150mm depth of water.
  • Two jetties enable boat trips to the island.

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Dew pond and reed bed construction

Construction of dew ponds, lake and reed beds for a Sheepdrove Organic Farm and Eco-Centre
  • Construction of three water-bodies.
  • Vertical flow reed bed into the chalk down lands.
  • Installation of drainage pipe works, headwalls, dosing chambers.

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Polo field irrigation and reservoir construction

Both projects involved modifying and enlarging the existing facilities. With careful computer aided design we were able to provide the client with the required storage facility for the irrigation of the polo lawns as well as ‘stick and ball’ areas on two neighbouring estates.

  • Storage facility for the irrigation of the polo lawns.
  • 0.75mm Excelastic membrane sandwiched between a 400gm/m ² Geotextile overlay and underlay.
  • A ‘wet-well’ pumping chamber and associated pipework was installed adjacent to each reservoir.

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Victorian trout race construction

This project involved the restoration of a derelict trout race believed to have been constructed by Capability Brown whilst landscaping the parkland surrounding the Thame Park Estate.

  • Restoration of a derelict trout race.
  • Complete rebuild of four dams.
  • Replicated as close to the original design as possible including the re-construction of a tilting fish screen and green oak penstocks.

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For more information call 01865 736272 or email whc@whitehorsecontractors.co.uk