The Drowned Dales
Reservoirs mean different things to different people. For some, they add variety to the moorland scene, or an opportunity for yachting, boating, or fishing. For others, however, they are an unwelcome intrusion into the uplands, the cause of the destruction of thriving farming communities, and a waste of valuable and beautiful countryside.Whatever your views, the Peak District like most other upland areas, has attracted the water engineers who serve the needs of the thirsty cities of the lowlands. There are over fifty reservoirs in the National Park and the biggest and best known are in the Upper Derwent Valley.
The triple reservoirs of Howden, Derwent, and Ladybower have transformed the valley into what has been dubbed the Peak'’ Lake District. Beneath the calm, still waters went the ancient hill-farming communities of Derwent and Ashopton, and the villagers were rehoused at Yorkshire Bridge near Bamford.
Derwent Hall, a stately gritstone mansion which later became a youth hostel, also went under the rising water, and a hutted encampment known as `Tin Town’ was constructed to house the dam workers on their fifteen-year task. During the Second World War, the valley was used as a training ground for 617 Squadron-the `Dambusters’-before their heroic raid on the Ruhr.
But now the scars have softened, and the Derwent is the scene of a management scheme (begun in 1981) which allows visitors to enjoy the man-made beauty of the valley in comfort, with a cycle-hire scheme and information centre. This is similar to the pioneering scheme first tried in the Goyt Valley on the western side of the Park in 1970. Here, the reservoirs of Errwood and Fernilee became a major attraction and minibuses were introduced to relieve congested roads.
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