To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (i) to detail the number of (a) reservoirs; (b) dams; and (c) millponds in Northern Ireland; (ii) how many of each are under the responsibility of a Government Department; and (iii) for how many of each of the remainder is the owner or responsible agent known.

The Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment for the north of Ireland, as required by the Water Environment (Floods Directive) Regulations (NI) 2009, identified that there are 156 impoundments which are in excess of 10,000m3. “Impoundments” is the term used to describe all retained water bodies including reservoirs, dams, and mill ponds.

Approximately one third of the impoundments are under the responsibility of a Government Department. Ownership and responsibility for the remainder has not been determined as it was not required for completion of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment.