Skip to content

Rare pictures show dam being built 110 years ago

Matt TaylorDerby
Severn Trent A black and white image of Derwent Dam, a large brick wall with two towers at either end. Cranes and trees can be seen at the bottom of the dam and there is a body of water to the left of it.Severn Trent
Construction of the Derwent Dam was completed in 1916

Historic photos showing the workers who built a dam 110 years ago have been released.

Water company Severn Trent has shared the images of the Derwent Dam in Derbyshire, which it described as a "magnificent feat of engineering" that took 14 years to complete and involved about 1,000 workers.

Last year, the colours of the union jack flag were beamed on to the dam wall by the firm to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day - the end of World War Two in Europe on 8 May 1945 - and honour the RAF Dambusters.

The dam allowed for the creation of the Derwent Reservoir, which is almost two miles long and covers some 175 acres - and is about 114ft deep at its maximum depth.

Derwent Dam was lit up in red, white and blue to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day

The plans for a reservoir and dam in the area were drawn up by the Derby Corporation, a forerunner of Severn Trent, in 1898.

Nearby Howden Reservoir was also built as part of the original plans, Severn Trent added, before Ladybower Reservoir was finished in 1945.

Chief engineer of Derwent Dam, Edward Sanderman, oversaw its construction from 1902 until completion in 1916.

The stones that formed the dam were taken from nearby quarries at Bole Hill and Grindleford via a specially-created railway.

Severn Trent Workers stood below and on a suspended railway line. Pictured in black and white.Severn Trent
About 1,000 workers were involved in the dam's construction

The majority of workers were housed in prefab-style properties in nearby Birchinlee, which became known as "Tin Town", according to Severn Trent.

Donna Marshall, Severn Trent visitor engagement manager, said: "Derwent Dam is stunning and a truly incredible feat of engineering.

"We are delighted to release these images to mark the 110th anniversary of the completion of the dam, which is a great way to remember all those brave workers involved in its construction."

Severn Trent A black and white image showing a large column being constructed, with cranes also in shot and workers.Severn Trent
Construction of the Gothic-style Derwent Dam began in 1902
Severn Trent Several workers, pictured in black and white, stood around a wooden contraption with a suspended hollow circle.Severn Trent
The pictures from Severn Trent show workers on many parts of the project, including tunnel and tower building
A rambler captured the dam in "full flow" after heavy rainfall in 2023

The site attracts tourists who enjoy its rural beauty or honour the Dambusters 617 Squadron, which used replica bombs over the dam, before their famous raids in Germany in May 1943.

Doug Clarke, Severn Trent water resources lead, added: "The construction of Derwent Dam 110 years ago was groundbreaking and shows the importance of 'past, present and future' investment plans.

"Generations of people have benefitted and many more will benefit in the future because of that investment in Derwent and the work of these dam-builders."

Severn Trent A row of cranes on top of a brick structure, with a work site in shot below.Severn Trent
Large stones were lifted into place by cranes to help create the dam
Severn Trent In the foreground, workers can be seen holding tools and working, with a crane being operated in the backgroundSevern Trent
Severn Trent has released pictures from its archive of the workers behind the Derwent Dam, 110 years on from its completion
Severn Trent A white sheet of paper which reads "IN PARLIAMENT SESSION 1899. DERBY CORPORATION WATER. PLANS & SECTIONS. NOVEMBER 1898 with the names of the parliamentary agents and civil engineers at the bottom.Severn Trent
The plans were first drawn up for the dam in 1898

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.

More on this story
Related internet links