307. The reservoir that nearly destroyed a town (an update)

In July 2019, Toddbrook reservoir - in High Peak, Derbyshire - nearly breached which would have flooded the town of Whaley Bridge. Today, repairs and reconstruction are well underway so I went along to have a look.

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#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

[CruisingTheCut]

In July 2019, Toddbrook reservoir - in High Peak, Derbyshire!!!! - nearly breached which would have flooded the town of Whaley Bridge. Today, repairs and reconstruction are well underway so I went along to have a look.

[seanjamescameron]

These will become such historical videos in decades to come. David Johns, voice of the canals. Very good reporting, it’s almost as if you had worked in TV news 😉

[Simon_Nonymous]

Reservoir vlogs? You getter better each week! But I have a feeling the reservoir is still in Derbyshire despite its best efforts to travel downhill. David, it's a lovely and important video.

[shinyperson]

We live in the DERBYSHIRE village, and although the Chinook and all the media is thrilling to look back on, it wasn't much fun at the time. The evacuation order was lifted on my other half's birthday, and the news that it was all going to be alright was the best birthday gift we could have wished for.

[wmwho]

As someone who cannot enjoy the canals themselves, I sure do appreciate the all of the past, present and future engineering it takes to make them work. Thank you for the video!

[shirleylynch]

Thanks for the update. We just don’t appreciate how much is involved in repairs and alternate water supplies. Very interesting and informative.

[smitm]

Very interesting & engaging stories/reporting. Always look forward to the next posting. Thank you …

[IN_THIS_DAY_AND_AGE]

Sounds like maintenance on all the reservoirs had been neglected over the years.
Good thing that they were built so well in the first place.

[jerryc]

Thank you David, yet another informative and professionally made video. Just one minor point though, I think Toddbrook and Whaley Bridge are in Derbyshire, not Yorkshire. I nearly choked on my Bakewell tart!

[Simon_Nonymous]

Top up your teabags, bread, and cheese. This vlog is so important in explaining that canals aren't done by magic, and the water supply especially to a summit section is vital. God forbid that the dam had collapsed.

[pauln]

Such a relaxing voice I can even be bothered with advertising too. 😂 Thank you David for another interesting short film.

[Hollaraedulioe]

Thanks for picking that story up again. Macclesfield and Peak Forest with their two lock flights are some of the best stretches there are.

What I still wonder is why there are no attempt to dredge the reservoir. I've read that several meters of silt have been accumulated. This does seem quite plausible after 180+ years of operation. Amount of reservoir space will be even more needed considering the prolonged dry spells expected in years to come. AFAIK the same argument has already been made for the Rudyard as well - the main backup for the T&M.

[SecretSquirrelFun]

Brilliant, thanks for the update. Much appreciated.

I’m still weirded out by that old footage of people standing on that tiny footbridge as torrents of water rush beneath them. 😳

[Tigg_H]

Oh David, the location is in Derbyshire not Yorkshire! Love your videos, they are just timeless educational entertainment. Thank you.

Edit: I see you replied to another comment regarding the senior moment. Thank you all the same.

[craigbowie]

David I am really enjoying the expanded CC coverage. We enjoyed you journey in the beginning but now you are producing wide ranging topics giving voice to many more people. Well done Sir.

[WhitneyHoustoneva]

I remember when this happened. Just like our normal summers, we'd had a lot of rain. It was very nerve wracking for the residents of Whaley Bridge. It nice to see an update of what is going on now. Thanks for updating us. 🙂

[heathwellsNZ]

I thoroughly enjoyed Kill Spill Part 1 and am so glad you've given this Kill Spill Part 2 update!

[isobelchapman]

Extremely interesting David, thank you very much. Your vlogs are always appreciated.

[charliestevenson]

Just looked at the original video about keeping the water levels up, didn't realise how much went into it, very interesting and informative and worth a look for everyone who has come to this channel recently

[MrCElk]

Great video David, thanks. First thing that comes to my mind is how many other Toddbrooks are there just waiting to happen.