A major phase of the Toddbrook Reservoir restoration project near Whaley Bridge has been completed with the construction of a new dam overflow spillway. Work is continuing to reconnect the structure to the River Goyt, refill the reservoir, and return surrounding land to community use.
New dam spillway structure completed
A major phase of a project to restore Toddbrook Reservoir, near Whaley Bridge, has been completed with the construction of a new dam overflow spillway structure.
Further works underway after Christmas
FURTHER work continued after Christmas to connect the new structure to the River Goyt, refill the reservoir, and return the construction site to community use again.
Spillway key to making reservoir operational again
The Canal & River Trust said the creation of a new dam spillway is key to making the reservoir operational again, after the former auxiliary spillway on the dam wall was damaged in the summer of 2019, following excessive rainfall.
Four years of construction and £50m response
Over the last four years, contractor Kier has created a waterside weir, tumble bay, stepped spillway channel and stilling basin, providing a new route for excess water to reach the River Goyt. The total cost of responding to the whole incident is expected to be about £50 million.
Memorial Park restoration and community facilities
During this spring and summer, the town’s Memorial Park and land around the dam works will gradually be relevelled and relandscaped with hundreds of new shrubs, mature trees, and spring bulbs. A playground will be installed, a replacement sailing club constructed, and the football field will be returned to Whaley Bridge Athletic Football Club.
Managed refilling and return to canal water supply
After the removal of scrub vegetation from the basin, Toddbrook Reservoir will be allowed to refill naturally during this time, before returning to its primary function of supplying water to the Peak Forest and Macclesfield canals. It will then be restocked with fish towards the end of this year, after the new reservoir has been thoroughly tested.
Dam wall works and site demobilisation timeline
The redundant concrete panels on the dam wall are currently being removed, and the entire slope will be grassed over. A popular former walkway across the dam crest is also being replaced and should be available to the public again soon. Kier site cabins and equipment will gradually be removed over the next few months, with a final withdrawal date of autumn 2026.
Environmental protection and refill monitoring
The trust’s Toddbrook project manager, Dilwyn Parry, said: “We are very grateful to all the local residents for their continuing patience with the construction project. The end is now in sight – by the seventh anniversary of the incident, we should be well on our way to having a beautiful, working reservoir again for everyone to enjoy.
“In advance of refilling the reservoir, our contractors will remove scrub vegetation which has sprung up below the usual waterline. As this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the presence of a rare dwarf bladder moss, we are working closely with Natural England on a plan to clear trees, weeds, and shrubs before the start of this year’s bird nesting season.
“The reservoir will then be allowed to refill naturally in carefully managed stages. Safety is paramount, and the gradual rise in water level will be phased over 16 weeks and monitored. The effectiveness of the reservoir will be thoroughly tested to ensure the integrity of the new structure, as levels are held at different heights during the refilling process.
“The speed of the refill will be influenced by the prevailing weather conditions in early 2026, so if we experience a dry spring, the process will be slightly slower than if rainfall is plentiful.”
Plans for new sailing clubhouse
Planning permission is in place to build a new sailing clubhouse on the edge of the reservoir near the newly constructed weir. Construction is expected to start in the spring/summer and will include a new car park and launch slipway for boats. The clubhouse is likely to be operational by winter. The former reservoir keeper’s lodge, which was at one stage considered as an alternative clubhouse, will be put up for sale.
Extensive replanting planned for Memorial Park
During the first part of this year, more than 1000 mature trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses will be planted in the Memorial Park around the playground and on land currently occupied by the construction site. The planting list includes 40-plus mature trees like maple, birch, oak, elm and hornbeam, and 678 shrubs including hazel, sweet briar, guilder roses, woolly willow, blackthorn and elder. More than 340 new daffodil bulbs will adorn the park in the spring, supplemented by dozens of other perennials – yarrow, cornflowers, rosemary, sage, sweet woodruff and ornamental grasses.
