Why is the water level at Gaddings Dam so low?
Many of you will have noticed that the water level at Gaddings Dam has been much lower than usual this year — and this was the case before the recent heatwaves and dry weather.
So, what is going on?
It’s about keeping the dam safe
Gaddings Dam needs regular inspection and maintenance to make sure the dam walls and embankments remain strong and safe.
The dam has suffered vandalism and damage over the years, and following its annual inspection, our engineer has identified repair work that needs to be carried out to strengthen the embankment and increase the safety margin against failure.
If the dam could not be maintained to the required safety standard, the water level would have to be reduced much further, or potentially the dam would have to be drained altogether.
Why has the water been lowered?
The water level at the dam is normally controlled by a syphon — the large blue pipe you can see at the water's edge.
The syphon helps us keep the water at a safe, agreed level and is maintained by the Gaddings Dam Preservation Group. However, a syphon could potentially fail, so we need a reliable backup system.
A new overflow is being built
We are therefore building a new overflow at the back of the beach.
The new overflow will be approximately 2 metres lower than the existing overflow. If the water rises above the safe level, it will be directed into the dry dam (directly behind the beach) rather than putting additional pressure on the dam embankment.
The bottom and sides of the new overflow will be lined with stone recovered from the floor of the dam. This means that some of the stone already at Gaddings can be reused rather than bringing in new material.
This is why the water level has been lowered and needs to remain low while this work is prepared.
Please don't move the stones!
You may have noticed the large square stones stacked at the back of the beach. These have been collected ready for the overflow work.
Unfortunately, some visitors have been moving the stones around. We know they can look tempting to climb on or rearrange, but please leave them where they are.
Moving them means that our volunteers have to move them back again, creating extra work and slowing down the project.
The water will remain at a lower level until we have collected enough suitable stone for the work.
Clive building the overflow (pretty much single handedly ATM)
When will the work start?
It’s started!
After waiting for the end of the ground-nesting bird season and for the necessary ecological permissions to be finalised with United Utilities, work on the new overflow is now underway.
We’ve made good progress over the last week. Part of the base has been lined with stone and the low side walls are already taking shape.
But there is a lot more to do — and this is where we really need your help.
The new overflow needs to be dug through the embankment to connect it to the dry dam. Unfortunately, the machinery normally used simply can't get up there, so this part of the job has to be done by hand.
That means we need spades, wheelbarrows and plenty of muscle!
Could you spare a few hours to help?
If Gaddings Dam means something to you — whether you've been swimming there for years, walked up to the dam with your family, spent summer days on the beach, or simply love having this extraordinary place on the moors — this is a chance to give something back.
We need people to dig, fill and move barrows, shift earth and help with the endless jobs that come with a project like this.
You don't need to be an expert. You just need to be willing to get stuck in.
Weather permitting, we'll be working at the dam every Sunday from 1pm throughout September.
Bring a spade and wheelbarrow if you have one, put on some sturdy clothes and boots, and come and join us. Even an hour or two of your time will make a real difference.
This is a big job, and we genuinely can't do it without volunteers.
If you'd like to help, please join the Gaddings Dam Working WhatsApp group where we'll post details of work days and any changes due to weather.
Thank you for your patience — and please come and help!
We know that a lower water level isn't what people want to see at Gaddings, especially during the summer. But the work we're doing now is about making sure the dam remains safe, sustainable and here for everyone to enjoy for many years to come.
Gaddings belongs to all of us who love it. If you've enjoyed the dam, now is a great time to give a little something back.
So please don't just watch us digging — come and grab a spade!
We'd love to see you there.