Ladybower Reservoir plughole, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England, UK

Down the drain

Ladybower Reservoir, like most dams, uses a spillway (or overflow channel) to drain excess water that might otherwise overtop and damage the structure or surrounding area. Two bell-mouth stone spillways, each 80 feet in diameter, keep Ladybower’s water levels in check during heavy rains or flooding, although most of the time the spillways sit dry above the waterline.