Longdendale Chain

The Londendale reservoirs relative to Glossop and Hadfield

At the Rhodeswood reservoir dam, we see the outflow canal from the Torside Reservoir dam, alongside the Rhodeswood Reservoir. The Torside dam can be seen in the distance. To the right is Shining Clough Moss and Bleaklow. To the left Bareholm Moss and Black Hill

The Longdendale Chain is a sequence of six reservoirs on the River Etherow in the Longdendale Valley, in northern Derbyshire. They were constructed between 1848 and 1884 to a design by John Frederick Bateman to supply the growing population of Manchester and Salford with fresh water.^[1]

The top three reservoirs (Woodhead, Torside and Rhodeswood) and Arnfield are for drinking water, and the lower reservoirs (Valehouse and Bottoms) are used as compensation reservoirs to maintain the downstream flow of the river. There was originally a seventh – Hollingworth Reservoir – which was abandoned in 1990, and has become part of the Swallows Wood nature reserve.^[2][3]

Water flowed by gravity through the Mottram Tunnel to the Godley covered reservoir where it drops to the service reservoirs at Denton, Audenshaw, Gorton and Prestwich.^[3]

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

• 

  Arnfield

• 

  Bottoms

• 

  Valehouse

• 

  Rhodeswood

• 

  Torside

• 

  Woodhead

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in the United Kingdom

References

Notes

Bibliography

Quayle, Tom (2006). Manchester's water: the reservoirs in the hills. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-3198-6. 

Places of Interest in Derbyshire Castles and military sites Ardotalia (Melandra Castle) Bolsover Castle Codnor Castle Duffield Castle Peveril Castle Pilsbury Castle Churches and religious sites Anchor Church Chesterfield's Crooked Spire Derby Cathedral Museums and cultural sites Buxton Opera House Buxton Museum & Art Gallery Derby Museum & Art Gallery Devonshire Dome Pickford's House Museum Natural landmarks and outdoor spaces Alport Castles Black Rocks Blue John Cavern Carsington Water Creswell Crags Derby Arboretum Dovedale Foremark Reservoir Heights of Abraham Howden Reservoir Kinder Scout Ladybower Reservoir Longdendale Reservoir Chain Longdendale Trail Longshaw Estate Mam Tor Monsal Dale Ogston Reservoir Peak Cavern Poole's Cavern Shining Cliff Woods Speedwell Cavern Thorpe Cloud Treak Cliff Cavern Prehistoric landmarks Arbor Low Hob Hurst's House Minninglow Nine Ladies Stone Circle Stately homes Alfreton Hall Barlborough Hall Bradbourne Hall Bradley Hall Bretby Hall Calke Abbey Chatsworth House Coxbench Hall Ednaston Manor Elvaston Castle Eyam Hall Haddon Hall Hardwick Hall Hartington Hall Ilam Park Kedleston Hall Knowsley Hall Longford Hall Melbourne Hall Norbury Hall Oakhurst House Parwich Hall Renishaw Hall Riber Castle St Helen's House Sudbury Hall Sutton Scarsdale Hall Swarkestone Hall Pavilion Thornbridge Hall Tissington Hall Willersley Castle Wingfield Manor Transport and industry Barrow Hill Engine Shed Cromford and High Peak Railway Cromford Mill Derby Silk Mill Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway Derwent Reservoir Derwent Valley Mills Ecclesbourne Valley Railway High Peak Junction Leawood Pump House Midland Railway – Butterley Millennium Walkway, New Mills National Tramway Museum Odin Mine Peak Rail Royal Crown Derby Visitor Centre Stainsby Mill See also Well dressing

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Coordinates: 53°29′34″N 1°51′51″W / 53.4927°N 1.8642°W / 53.4927; -1.8642