Longdendale Chain

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The Longdendale Chain is a sequence of six reservoirs on the River Etherow in the valley of Longdendale, in northern Derbyshire. They were constructed between 1848 and 1884 to a design by John Frederick Bateman to supply the growing population of Greater Manchester with fresh water.^[1] The top three reservoirs (Woodhead, Torside and Rhodeswood) are for drinking water, and the lower reservoirs are used as compensation reservoirs to maintain the downstream flow of the river. There was originally a seventh - Hollingworth Reservoir was abandoned, and has become part of the Swallows Wood nature reserve.^[2]

[edit] Reservoirs

The reservoirs are listed from upstream to downstream i.e. from east to west:

• Woodhead Reservoir
• Torside Reservoir
• Rhodeswood Reservoir
• Valehouse Reservoir
• Bottoms Reservoir
• Arnfield Reservoir

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.tameside.gov.uk/leisure/new/bp_45.htm
2. ^ http://www.peakdistrict-education.gov.uk/Fact%20Sheets/fz21lgd1.htm