Yorkshire nostalgia: '˜Sunken' Derwent village re-emerges from waters during drought

The worst drought for 40 years meant the sunken village of Derwent, near Sheffield re-emerged from the waters of the Ladybower Dam, as water levels dropped to new lows.
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Oct 2017, 14:11 BST
Updated 12th Dec 2017, 06:59 BST
2nd October 1990. The Derwent Reservoir which is just over a third full. For the past two years the water has been so low the ruins of the village can be seen.2nd October 1990. The Derwent Reservoir which is just over a third full. For the past two years the water has been so low the ruins of the village can be seen.
2nd October 1990. The Derwent Reservoir which is just over a third full. For the past two years the water has been so low the ruins of the village can be seen.

The village first disappeared beneath the waters in 1945 when the dam was created.

Ladybower Reservoir is a large ‘Y’ shaped reservoir, the lowest of the three in the Upper Derwent Valley. It was built between 1935 - 1943 and then took a further two years to fill it. The villages of Derwent and Ashopton had to be flooded to create this reservoir and the inhabitants were relocated to Yorkshire Bridge estate, just downstream of Ladybower Dam. It was opened in 24 September 1945 by King George VI. The dam was used by RAF 617 Dambuster Squadron to practise on before their infamous mission.

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