Derwent Valley Water Board
The Derwent Valley Water Board came into existence through the Derwent Valley Water Act 1899 (62 & 63 Vict. c. cclxix), with the purpose of providing water services to the cities of Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, along with the county of Derbyshire. Its network comprised reservoirs situated on the upper stretches of the River Derwent within the Peak District.
Among the principal reservoirs developed under this board’s jurisdiction were:
- Howden (constructed between 1901 and 1912), boasting a storage capacity of 1,980 million imperial gallons (9,000,000 m3), supported by a masonry dam measuring 117 feet (36 m) in height and 1,080 feet (330 m) in length.
- Derwent (built from 1902 to 1916), which holds 2,120 million imperial gallons (9,600,000 m3), featuring a masonry dam 114 feet (35 m) tall and 1,110 feet (340 m) long.
- Ladybower (erected between 1935 and 1945), with a capacity of 6,310 million imperial gallons (28,700,000 m3), created by an earth embankment standing 140 feet (43 m) high and extending 1,250 feet (380 m) in length.
The board was abolished in 1974 as a result of the Water Act 1973 (c. 37), when its responsibilities and holdings were integrated into the newly established Severn Trent Water Authority. This transition represented a significant reorganization aimed at streamlining water management across the region.