"The Basingstoke Canal passing through
Church Crookham".
 

In 1825, Francis Giles submitted plans to build "The Kennet and Basingstoke Canal" including the intention to create 4 reservoirs around Church Crookham, at the following locations :-  

1) The Verne.   Construction was begun, in so much as an embankment was created, and is now known as Basingbourne Park. The reservoir was to be 6-7 meters deep. A water route was also put in place, entering the Canal near the Coxheath Road bridge. 

This area, which today is a housing estate, and can still be remembered by some elders to have been a natural sump, regularly flooding and with it's own spring. 

2) Gelvert stream.    This reservoir was expected to have had a surface area of around 100 acres , and been 7 meters deep. This location is on the Military land along the Aldershot Road, Church Crookham, behind "The Foresters" public house. 

3) Rushmoor Flash.    Again on Military land, along side the Aldershot - Fleet Road. It would have been built to a depth of 4 meters.  

4) Claycart Flash.       Also on the Aldershot - Fleet road, but this was expected to have been constructed to a depth of 7 meters.

The Verne today