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Science/nature/environment

Todbrook Reservoir

(9 Posts)
Fennel Mon 05-Aug-19 09:41:50

and Whaley Bridge - Does anyone live near there? I've been following the story - very worrying especially for anyone in the path of the downfall, if it comes.
The emergency services are working hard to avoid a disaster.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7321469/Whaley-Bridge-evacuees-spend-fifth-day-away-homes-firefighters-continue-battle.html
We used to walk in the Peak District a lot. There are many reservoirs there.

Willow500 Mon 05-Aug-19 09:47:57

I've been watching this too - apart from the dreadful emotional distress to the residents I worry about all the animals both domestic pets and wildlife not to mention any effected farms in the area.

Parsley3 Mon 05-Aug-19 11:22:49

I too am following this. Thank goodness the torrential rain that was forecast didn’t fall on the dam in the end and the water levels could continue to be lowered. A terrifying experience for all concerned.
I was reading about the residents who have refused to leave their homes as they feel that the authorities are overreacting.
Heaven help them if the dam does burst.

EllanVannin Mon 05-Aug-19 11:33:40

For the past 100 or so years we've relied too much on structures having been built by the Victorians, masters of their trade, lasting another 100 years or so. Maintenance on such structures hasn't unfortunately been carried out as should have been------" if it ain't broke don't fix it "------has obviously been the motto, forgetting that a lot has changed over the years, population for a start.

Water structures especially need to be renewed and strengthened, like many sewer pipes which are over 100 years old having to endure extra weight because of traffic's vibrations causing fracturing in the structures of miles of piping.

Maintenance/reconstruction is vital in this country and has been overlooked for years until it comes to a disaster prompting engineers to go back to the drawing board to reinforce such areas as dams to prevent this kind of flooding.

Money should be ploughed into the highways and construction in order to come up with an idea and the work in preventing such disasters from happening. Fortunately there's been no loss of life but there could well have been and we don't want to wait until there are tragedy's before anything is done.

glammanana Mon 05-Aug-19 11:44:24

I've been watching with interest as my DS2 and his wife moved to the area with their jobs just 6 weeks ago they are not in the immediate area but very close by luckily enough their house is up-hill and they have not been flooded.
They both work as managers for a well known food chain and have been spending the past few days arranging deliveries of hot food to the evacuee's at the centres it has certainly shown them how much community spirit there is in the area but what a sad way to get to know your new neighbours.

BlueBelle Mon 05-Aug-19 11:46:20

I really feel for these people I can’t understand a town being built up by a dam though
I feel really really cross at the 30 or so residents who have refused to leave they are not only putting themselves in danger but the possibility of rescuers having to try and get them out

jura2 Mon 05-Aug-19 11:50:54

Just awful for the local people. But I am aghast seeing that the dam is just made of thick(ish) plates of concrete- and not solid. Many dams around here- but they are built with massive solid layers of reinforced concrete several metres thick.

I can't see how the dam will be able to be repaired now- it will have to come down and be totally replaced, which will take years. Which areas are supplied by this dam? What alternative sources of water would be available?

Fennel Mon 05-Aug-19 12:46:12

As I wrote, there are several reservoirs in Derbyshire/ the Peak District.
"A few of the best reservoirs in the Peak District are: Carsington Water, Derwent Reservoir, Howden Reservoir, Ladybower Reservoir, Ogston Reservoir and Rudyard Lake."
I haven't looked into their history but I would think that most were built at the time the big northern industrial cities were developing, to give water supply to the rapidly growing populations . The 'Industrial Revolution'.

jura2 Mon 05-Aug-19 12:49:49

As, of course. I was just wondering specifically the area served by this particular reservoir.