Howden Reservoir

Howden Reservoir lies in the Upper Derwent Valley, shaped like a Y with its longest arm stretching over two kilometres. The water divides Derbyshire from Sheffield along the old course of the River Derwent. Howden Dam at the southern end holds back the reservoir before the river continues into Derwent Reservoir and then Ladybower Reservoir downstream. Three streams feed the basin: the River Westend, Howden Clough and Linch Clough. Construction began in 1901 under chief engineer Edward Sandeman, who also built nearby Derwent Dam. A temporary village called Birchinlee, or ‘Tin Town’, housed the workers and a railway line ran from Bamford to carry materials. Sandeman received the Telford Medal in 1918 for the Derwent Valley Waterworks. The dam is built of solid masonry, 36 metres high and 330 metres long, holding back 8,600 thousand litres of water. East of the reservoir rises Featherbed Moss, one of the highest local summits at 545 metres. Several tops share the same name in the surrounding hills. The moorland offers wide views across the valley and the chain of reservoirs below. Walkers can follow paths around the water’s edge or climb towards the open uplands. The scene changes with the seasons, from spring greens to autumn browns and winter frost.