Whaley Bridge - Toddbrook Reservoir Damage

[ColinJ]

I think someone else might have mentioned it earlier in the thread (hopefully NOT forgetful me! ), but why would you build something like this dam and rely on a spillway to get rid of excess water in an emergency, rather than having a big pipe at the bottom which could be used? It seems crazy to have to pump the water out when gravity could easily do it!

 

[ColinJ]

Answering my own question ... I suppose if the outflow were from the bottom of the reservoir then the water flow would be violent and somebody would have to open the sluice gates.

Now I can see the reason for those scary overflows in Ladybower!

 

[raleighnut]

Answering my own question ... I suppose if the outflow were from the bottom of the reservoir then the water flow would be violent and somebody would have to open the sluice gates.

Now I can see the reason for those scary overflows in Ladybower!

View attachment 479003

An 'overflow' at the bottom of a Dam would also be at risk of silting up if not operated regularly.

 

[classic33]

They've been allowed to return home.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-derbyshire-49261105

 

[Hicky]

In addition to all the emergency services a Coy of Light Dragoon’s from Catterick have been based in Stockport for almost a week going up to the Dam filling sandbags for the effort, a very close personal friend who’s a Whaley resident a Reservist has also been aiding the emergency services.
Ps the Chinook are RAF.

 

[Globalti]

It's called the scour valve and I think there is an outlet, you can see some kind of machinery pit on the dam in some pictures.

 

[winjim]

Answering my own question ... I suppose if the outflow were from the bottom of the reservoir then the water flow would be violent and somebody would have to open the sluice gates.

Now I can see the reason for those scary overflows in Ladybower!

View attachment 479003

Ever wondered what's down there?

Spoiler: it's a massive concrete pipe.

 

[ColinJ]

Ever wondered what's down there?

Spoiler: it's a massive concrete pipe.

Brilliant - thanks!

I cycled past the eastern 'plughole' in 2007. This is what I wrote at the time ...

... a few cars shot past me rather too close down there, so when I discovered a wide cyclepath across the road nearer Bamford I decided to ride on that instead. Soon, I heard a funny noise coming from the reservoir to my right so I stopped to check it out. WOW - the world's largest plughole! If you have never seen it, it is well worth going to take a look. A series of stepped large concentric stone circles disappear downwards with water cascading into the void. That's one reservoir you definitely don't want to swim in!

 

[Dave7]

Ever wondered what's down there?

Spoiler: it's a massive concrete pipe.

Fascinating, thanks. Watched half and will watch the rest this afternoon.

 

[winjim]

Fascinating, thanks. Watched half and will watch the rest this afternoon.

He's also done a shorter video of it flowing at full capacity, the best bit of which is watching him evade detection by stealthily creeping down through the undergrowth to the outflow, like a weird middle aged Yorkshire ninja.

 

[I like Skol]

He's also done a shorter video of it flowing at full capacity, the best bit of which is watching him evade detection by stealthily creeping down through the undergrowth to the outflow, like a weird middle aged Yorkshire ninja.

I hate those things, scare the bejeezus out of me! There's one not far from me and you can look into it from a slightly higher angle. When it is flowing in anger it feels almost like it will suck you in just for looking at it.....

 

[MichaelW2]

He's also done a shorter video of it flowing at full capacity, the best bit of which is watching him evade detection by stealthily creeping down through the undergrowth to the outflow, like a weird middle aged Yorkshire ninja.

Jeremy should be leading opposition to the government, not hiding under a bush.

 

[ColinJ]

There were a couple of people in kayaks trying to get close to the 'plughole' that I was looking at!

I think that there was a rope or chain barrier to stop them actually going into it, but they got much closer than I would want to...

 

[winjim]

I hate those things, scare the bejeezus out of me! There's one not far from me and you can look into it from a slightly higher angle. When it is flowing in anger it feels almost like it will suck you in just for looking at it.....

They are like a portal to another dimension. Some poor woman got sucked into one about twenty years ago in California. Doesn't bear thinking about really.

Spoiler: Grim

https://m.sfgate.com/news/article/NORTH-BAY-Woman-Sucked-Into-Lake-Berryessa-2849821.php

 

[Dayvo]

Slightly off topic, but relevant to recent posts. I remember reading in a Sunday supplement a while back, can't remember which one, about a surfing photographer who drowned whilst trying to film a whirlpool from the inside of it!

The nearest I could find was the Daily Mail's tribute to him. Mad, but I understand his obsession.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...wned-sucked-deadly-WHIRLPOOL-trying-film.html