Ladybower Reservoir
Derbyshire, UK (Upper Derwent Valley) · 1935-1943 (construction), opened 1945 · Unknown
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe strategic decision to build a clay-cored embankment for Ladybower, differing from the solid masonry construction of the earlier Howden and Derwent dams. - The project highlights the profound social and environmental impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects, including the displacement of communities. - The historical significance of the Derwent dams being used for target practice by the RAF's 617 Squadron (the Dam Busters) during WWII.
Key engineering challenges
Construction during World War II, facing difficulties in sourcing materials and labor. - The significant social and logistical challenge of flooding two villages (Derwent and Ashopton) and relocating graves. - Designing and constructing a large clay-cored embankment dam. - Implementing a deep cut-off trench to prevent water leakage around the dam.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- —
- Lead contractor
- Richard Baillie and Sons
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- Combined capacity of Derwent Valley Reservoirs (Howden, Derwent, Ladybower) is nearly 46 billion litres. Ladybower dam has a 180ft (55m) deep by 6ft (1.8m) wide concrete-filled cut-off trench, stretching 500ft (150m) into the hills.
- Disciplines
- civil; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- —
Sources: "Derwent Valley Reservoirs: Supplying Water to the Midlands", Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/derwent-valley-reservoirs - "Ladybower Reservoir", Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybower_Reservoir - "The Secret Drowned Villages Under Ladybower Reservoir", Lets Go Peak District, 2018, https://letsgopeakdistrict.co.uk/the-secret-drowned-villages-under-ladybower-reservoir/