Originally a small pool named Roach Pool in Rotton Park, it was extensively enlarged by Thomas Telford between 1824-1829 to supply water to the Birmingham and Wolverhampton Levels of the Birmingham Canal Navigations canal system via Icknield Port Loop at the foot of the dam. It was excavated to a depth of 40 feet and covers an area of, holding of water, and was the largest expanse of water in Birmingham at the time. It is supplied by small streams and a feeder from Titford Reservoir in Oldbury. It was formed by damming a small stream. The dam is a 330-metre-long earth embankment with a height of 10 metres near the centre. The reservoir and gatehouse were designed by Thomas Telford and the latter is a listed building in corporate BCN octagonal style. In 1873, it was crossed by Charles Blondin, on a tightrope. His feat is marked by a 1992 statue on the nearby Ladywood Middleway ring road.
Ecology
The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and grassland. The total area of the site is. It supports a variety of birds, in addition to newts and bats.
Leisure
In addition to supplying water to the canals, the reservoir is used for leisure activities including angling, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking and rowing. Edgbaston Reservoir is home to three rowing clubs, Birmingham Rowing Club, Birmingham City University Rowing Club and the University of Birmingham Boat Club. All are housed within the same boathouse. The site has also been chosen to house a new Birmingham Schools rowing initiative, with the three aforementioned clubs assisting in the running of the scheme. Birmingham Canoe Club also shares the space during the summer months, paddling on the reservoir. The Midland Sailing Club is also based at Edgbaston Reservoir, and often race sailing boats around a marked course. Windsurfers also use the reservoir. Further to this, TS Vernon Sea Cadets use the reservoir as a base. Until 2017 the Reservoir was home to , which provided water and land activities for school, college and youth groups from their base on the Icknield Port Road side of the reservoir. Since 2019 such water sports activities are provided by . The Reservoir perimeter provides a pleasant route for joggers, with a gravel and tarmac path throughout its 1.75 mile circumference. The fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March. Licences are available from the Environment Agency. As of April 2019 the car park is closed to vehicles after complaints of antisocial behaviour.
Weather
The reservoir usually has a gentle breeze across it due to the lack of large buildings or objects surrounding it, which makes it ideal for sailing. During winter there can be strong, icy, northerly winds blowing over the city, which can freeze the reservoir over due to its exposed northern side. In recent years, the reservoir has frozen over - in both January 2009 and 2010 to the extent that it could be walked upon, although this is strongly discouraged. In the summer the reservoir is often extremely busy with members of the public coming for picnics and walks around the reservoir's perimeter path.
