An unusually dry spring followed by the hottest summer on record has caused a major drought
The bridge structure revealed in Broomhead Reservoir, South Yorkshire, which has been revealed as the water in the reservoir has dropped to levels not seen for years. (Image: Dave Higgens/PA Wire)
Dramatically low reservoirs are revealing lost structures from landscapes drowned decades ago following the driest spring in 132 years and the hottest summer on record.
On Tuesday, Yorkshire Water said that its reservoirs are at 32.6% capacity, compared with around 73% for this period in an average year.
The utility company added that water levels are continuing to drop and recent rain has not been sufficient to make a material difference.
A hosepipe ban has been in effect across much of the region since early July.
At Broomhead Reservoir, north of Sheffield, the remains of a bridge inundated when the reservoir was built in the 1920s have been uncovered as the water has dropped to levels not seen for years.
The stone arch is thought to be part of Broomhead Bridge – also known as Cooper Carr Bridge – which spanned Ewden Beck close to a corn mill, which was also lost when the lake was constructed.
It is now surrounded by acres of mud which is punctuated by a range of structures – from gate posts and crumbled dry-stone walls to a collection of rusted metal poles which have baffled dog-walkers exploring the site.
A gate post structure revealed in Broomhead Reservoir, South Yorkshire, which has been made visible as the water in the reservoir has dropped to levels not seen for years. (Image: Dave Higgens/PA Wire)
Work on this reservoir began in 1913 but wasn’t completed until 1929 after interruptions due to the First World War and engineering problems.
It was built at the same time as More Hall Reservoir, further down the Ewden Valley, which is also experiencing exceptionally low levels this summer.
Another bridge in the valley, which would have been submerged under More Hall Reservoir, was dismantled and rebuilt in Glen Howe Park, close to the nearby village of Wharncliffe Side.
Low water levels at Broomhead Reservoir, South Yorkshire. (Image: Richard McCarthy/PA Wire)
Yorkshire Water’s director of water services, Dave Kaye, said: “Yorkshire is in drought following an extremely dry spring and the hottest summer on record.
“While the rain, which was heavy in some areas but short-lived, has been welcome, the majority has been taken up by the extremely dry ground, as well as plants and trees.”
Mr Kaye said: “The rain has helped river levels in some areas, which will allow us to abstract from watercourses to take the strain off our reservoirs.
“This, combined with drought orders and permits that have been granted on the Ouse and Wharfe, as well as others we have applied for in the south and north-west of the region, will help to reduce the burden on reservoirs and enable reservoirs to recover quicker in the autumn and winter.
“Customers adhering to the restrictions has also helped reduce domestic water usage by 10% and our smart meter rollout in Sheffield is helping to identify leaks on customers’ properties, helping them to save water and money on their bills.”