PDNP: Place/Rivers/History of rivers

Back to rivers

What is the history of rivers?

After the last Ice Age, around 13,000 years ago, the frozen land of the Peak District began to gradually warm and melt the ice that covered it. This melt water formed fast flowing streams that coursed their way through cracks, gullies and troughs in the landscape.

In the White Peak, the melt water streams and rivers gradually carved through the softer limestone rock beneath to create steep-sided valleys or limestone dales.

In the Dark Peak, the more resilient gritstone was less easily eroded. Streams flowed from the high moorland plateau through valleys or clough and down to the broader limestone valleys below.

For more information about the geology of the Peak District landscape click here.

Many of the streams of the Peak District flow to the River Wye and River Derwent, which eventually join the River Trent.

For many years people have used water:

to drink
to provide water for livestock and crops
for washing
to clear sewage
to power machinery
for pleasure e.g. swimming

The different ways that people have used the water of the Peak District over thousands of years has affected the river habitat in many ways.

In the Peak District, from the late 1700's onwards, the fast flowing rivers were used to power the many cotton mills that were built in the area. Often this involved diverting the river's course to maximise the water flow under the millwheel. Remains of these mills can still be seen today, including the old leats (purpose built water channels). The most famous of these mills is Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mill built in 1771 - considered to be the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

For more information on Cromford Mill go to www.derbyshireuk.net/mills3.html

From the Victorian period onwards, the Peak District was seen as a source of a fresh, clean water for the ever-growing surrounding urban conurbations e.g. Sheffield and Manchester. The high moorlands of the Dark Peak act like sponges, soaking up the high rainfall. The water then flows through many springs and streams, to the wider valleys below. By damming these valleys, the Water Companies are able to collect, treat and distribute the water. A number of valleys have been dammed, probably the most well know being the Upper Derwent Valley.

Today, the reservoirs are a focus for recreation and conservation interest, as well as continuing to supply the surrounding the towns and cities with clean water.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -