Compo 10,326 Posted August 2, 2019 Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 The dam problems at Whaley Bridge prompted me to dig out this old photo of the same dam that I took back in the long, hot summer of 1976. No chance of flooding then! Curiously, there is a patch almost in the same place as the damage now threatening the structure but on the inside of the wall. a patch, perhaps? Whaley Bridge is off to the right of the picture. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Brew 5,377 Posted August 2, 2019 Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 I'd be tempted to let the local authorities see that Compo, if it's significant it may be they are patching the wrong side of the dam. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 2, 2019 Report Share Posted August 2, 2019 I thought that when I saw the picture. You might have some unique information Compo and could save the whole town! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 Whaley Bridge is a town I know quite well as I often visit Martin Daly's School Garage on Buxton Rd. to view his classic cars. He's obviously closed at the moment! I've just looked at the area on Google Earth and notice that the concrete spillway of the dam appears to be a recent structure and was only about half completed in 2018. Before that it was just the earth bank covered with grass. There's been no information about this but it looks like the earth structure has been able to withstand the water pressure without reinforcement for most of its life. Perhaps water seeping under the concrete has caused the problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 483 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 I assumed the concrete was historic but not original and water had got under it, initially through cracks then lifted it up and scoured the soil away. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Whaley+Bridge,+High+Peak/@53.3270113,-1.9891088,242m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x487a35b9af05d563:0x4a4b4e120fd421b6!8m2!3d53.3298746!4d-1.9841743 https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3277771,-1.9895447,3a,30y,167.97h,85.52t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqF0gM-r-98WEhhqUbCZGbQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Looking at the video of the massive amounts of water running over it I wonder if it was just shear weight of water that dislodged the concrete being as it was just a skin. I'd imagine they'll be bolting and grouting it in as they do on embankments once things settle down. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 Having looked at it again I realise the spillway doesn’t cover the whole face of the dam and to the right it is just an earth embankment. That seems to be holding with no problem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 483 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 Yes that earth embankment hasn't shown up on TV as big as it actually is. No-one has mentioned it on TV yet but Carsington is an Earth bank resevoir and that cracked and partially collapsed during construction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,712 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 Interesting that the North West news today reported that there was also concern for 'nearby Marple'. This had me wondering at first, but although not what I'd exactly call 'nearby',, Marple is also on the River Goyt. about 5 miles downstream. Presumably any major flood would run down the Goyt Valley, through New Mills and into Marple. I've only driven through Marple once and I recall it as being in a steep sided valley. Map here: https://www.google.com/maps/@53.3689979,-2.0076558,12.75z Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DJ360 6,712 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 I knew I remembered something about a Dam collapsing in the 19th C. It was Dale Dyke.. above Sheffield, which collapsed in 1864. There were 244 fatalities in what became known as The Great Sheffield Flood https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Dike_Reservoir Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Stuart.C 483 Posted August 4, 2019 Report Share Posted August 4, 2019 There was just on T.V, (half an hour ago ish,) a picture of Whaley Bridge res empty about 8 years ago when they carried out repairs and re-enforced the inner side of the spillway. Oh, I hear thunder in the background outside, looks like rain coming. Found an article from 2011, doesn't mention re-enforcing; http://www.whaleybridge.com/2011/01/toddbrook-reservoir-refilling-to-start-in-new-year/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 I see Corbyn's going to visit the dam this afternoon. Took him some time to make the decision. All we want now is one of the Royals and the Archbishop of Canterbury to offer prayers and Whaley Bridge will be saved from disaster! 2 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FLY2 10,108 Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Beckham was going to visit and dole out a few reassuring utterances, but he's ended up at Walesby ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
philmayfield 6,089 Posted August 5, 2019 Report Share Posted August 5, 2019 Only Justin Walesby! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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