Dale Dike Reservoir


Dale Dike Reservoir or Dale Dyke Reservoir is a reservoir in the north-east Peak District, in the City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, a mile west of Bradfield and eight miles from the centre of Sheffield, on the Dale Dike, a tributary of the River Loxley.
Along with three other reservoirs around the village of Bradfield – Agden, Damflask and Strines – it was constructed between 1859 and 1864 by the Sheffield Waterworks Company to guarantee a supply of water to power the mills downstream and to supply drinking water to the growing population of Sheffield. The architect was John Gunson.

Great Sheffield Flood

In 1864 the newly built dam failed, causing the Great Sheffield Flood, which caused massive damage downstream along the Loxley and Don and through the centre of Sheffield. There were 244 fatalities.

The new dam

The dam was rebuilt in 1875 and is still in use, holding of water, now used exclusively for domestic purposes. It is owned by Yorkshire Water, part of the Kelda Group.