Over 100 years ago the Derwent Valley in North Derbyshire was identified as having all the necessary attributes for water storage to satisfy the growing needs of the local population and industry in North Derbyshire, Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, the valley being deep and long, surrounded by gritstone edges with narrow points for dam building, and having a high rainfall.

Royal Assent for the reservoirs was granted in 1899 and the first two dams, Howden and Derwent, were constructed between 1901 and 1916. Construction of the Ladybower Dam started in 1935 and continued throughout the years of World War 2 despite the difficulty of obtaining materials and labour. Read more at Derwent Valley Reservoirs on Derbyshire UK