Derwent Dam

Derwent Dam - Peak District visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Derwent Dam' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Derbyshire.

The Derwent Dam is one of a series of 3 dams the Upper Derwent Valley in northwest Derbyshire in England. The reservoirs are fed by the River Derwent which first flows into the Howden Reservoir, then Derwent Reservoir and, finally, the Ladybower Reservoir. Together, these three reservoirs, on the east side of the Peak District, provide much of the water for Derbyshire.

Construction of Derwent Dam began in 1902 in neo-Gothic style out of massive stones and has a tower on either end of the dam wall, seen in this panorama, which was taken below the dam. The reservoir began to fill in 1914, forming a 1.5 mi (2 km) long lake. Derewent Dam can support 9.64 million cubic metres of water.

These dams and reservoirs played an important role in WWII in the preparation for the Dambusters bombing raid on the Rhur dams in Germany in May 1943 by 617 Squadron using the famous Bouncing Bombs developed by Sir Barnes Wallis. It was here that low level flying exercises were perfected and one of the Derwent Dam towers houses a small exhibition, film and artifacts linked to this operation.

Today, as well as providing water to the surrounding populations, the dams and Upper Derwent Valley are popular walking and cycling destinations, especially up the nearby Win Hill near to Bamford. The reservoirs also offer some fishing opportunities. This 360 panorama was taken just below the Derwent Dam in the winter, after a fresh snow fall.

Take the A57 (Glossop to Sheffield road) across Ladybower by the Ashopton viaduct and then a minor road on the west side to Fairholmes. From Hope Valley, follow the A6013 north from Bamford to reach Ladybower and the A57.