The Longdendale Chain is a sequence of six reservoirs on the River Etherow in the valley of Longdendale, in northern Derbyshire. They were constructed between 1848 and 1884 to a design by John Frederick Bateman to supply the growing population of Greater Manchester with fresh water.^[1] The top three reservoirs (Woodhead, Torside and Rhodeswood) are for drinking water, and the lower reservoirs are used as compensation reservoirs to maintain the downstream flow of the river. There was originally a seventh - Hollingworth Reservoir was abandoned, and has become part of the Swallows Wood nature reserve.^[2] The view westward down Longdendale from above the Woodhead Tunnel, showing the Longdendale Trail (left) and A628 Woodhead Pass road. ... Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. ... The Greater Manchester Urban Area is the term used by the Office for National Statistics for the large conurbation surrounding Manchester in northern England. ...

Reservoirs

The reservoirs are listed from upstream to downstream i.e. from east to west:

• Woodhead Reservoir
• Torside Reservoir
• Rhodeswood Reservoir
• Valehouse Reservoir
• Bottoms Reservoir
• Arnfield Reservoir

References

1. ^ http://www.tameside.gov.uk/leisure/new/bp_45.htm
2. ^ http://www.peakdistrict-education.gov.uk/Fact%20Sheets/fz21lgd1.htm