Baitings Reservoir Now Very Low 24 September 2022

Baitings Dam is a reservoir built to supply Wakefield with fresh water, completed in 1956 it is the higher of the 2 dams that block the flow of the River Ryburn here, the lower being Ryburn Dam. Construction cost around £1.4 million and took 8 years to complete, it involved flooding a small hamlet known as Baitings and sub merging the old packhorse bridge that provided a road link between Lancashire and Yorkshire, the bridge still stands and is revealed every time the water level is low. The bridge was replaced by a concrete structure called Back O'th Heights Bridge which gives a good indication of how high the dame is when full by the time marks just underneath the road level. When full the dam can hold over 113,000,000 cubic feet of water, or approx. 703,858,407 gallons.

Baitings is fed by runs offs from the local moorland and is the start of the River Ryburn that flows down the valley eventually reaching the River Calder at Sowerby Bridge approx 6 miles down the valley. It also flows in to the Ryburn Dam a little lower down the valley and built in 1933, also to supply water to Wakefield.

The dam must be somewhere near a historically low level now, the bridge completely uncovered and recently a sluice gate has appeared. I am assuming this was to regulate the flow in to the Ryburn Dam prior to Baitings being built. There was a footpath bridge between this sluice gate and the dam head but the water hasn't got low enough yet to reveal wether this is still there. Maybe a couple more weeks of low rainfall and it might appear if still there.

These pictures were taken on the 24th September 2022 using a Nikon d330 SLR camera, they can be seen below and on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The packhorse bridge appearing from beneath the water has gone from a once in decade or so event to every couple of years.

Whilst it's likely that levels have been low enough before for the original dam and sluice gate to appear, this was the first time I had seen them.

The original packhorse bridge, often submerged seen through the legs of it's modern replacement.

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Sunrise at Baitings Dam (Single Shot)

Baitings Dam has featured in our local newspapers quite regularly during the recent hot weather, due to how low the water level has dropped. Reading some of them online, they have claimed that the bridge which can be seen in the foreground of the picture has been unveiled for the first time in over 50 years. This is incorrect, whilst it used to be perhaps a once in a decade event the water level dropping so low that the bridge appears, it is now every couple of years. I took a set around the bridge in September 2019 with the level similarly low in the dam, and I believe it has happened again since then.

Baitings Dam is a place I regularly walk my dogs and it was whilst out walking them a couple of days ago I thought i'd try and get up there early and picture the dam and bridges as the sun was rising. The following picture is the first of the set, the others to follow in a few days. The picture can also be seen on my Clickasnap account full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The picture was taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR on the 19th August 2022.

The bridge in the foreground is the original packhorse bridge that crossed the River Ryburn before Baitings Dam was completed in 1956. Its replacement bridge Back O'th Heights seen behind, the water level at it's highest a couple of feet below it. The sun is rising in the distance with the dam head wall just visible beyond the higher bridge.

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Exploring the Ryburn Valley Reservoirs: Baitings and Ryburn

Join me on a picturesque journey around two of the stunning reservoirs nestled in the Ryburn Valley: Baitings Reservoir and Ryburn Reservoir. These images were captured back in July 2018 using my trusty Nikon D3300 camera, a perfect companion for exploring the beautiful Calderdale landscape.

Ryburn Reservoir: A Timeless Water Source

Our exploration begins with Ryburn Reservoir, a vital water source built in 1933. It's gracefully surrounded by a tapestry of ancient woodland and open rural fields, making it a truly tranquil spot. Located just south of the A58, on the edge of the charming village of Ripponden, Ryburn was originally constructed to supply fresh water to the people of Wakefield. There are numerous walking paths around the dam, inviting you to wander through its serene surroundings. For those feeling adventurous, you can even climb further up the valley to reach the higher Baitings Reservoir.

Baitings Reservoir: Head of the Valley

Continuing our ascent, we arrive at Baitings Reservoir, which opened a little later in 1956. Also built to supply Wakefield, Baitings sits proudly at the head of the Ryburn Valley, primarily fed by the River Ryburn itself, along with several smaller streams.

Baitings holds a fascinating secret: during periods of exceptionally low water levels, the original bridge crossing becomes visible. While the water levels were too high to reveal it during this particular visit in July 2018, I was fortunate enough to capture a picture of it on a subsequent trip, which I'll be sure to share with you all very soon in a future post!

These two reservoirs offer not just essential resources, but also incredible beauty and a chance to connect with nature right here in West Yorkshire.

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The pictures above are Baitings Reservoir.

The previous 6 pictures were taken. at Ryburn Reservoir.

Baitings Reservoir in the distance from Ryburn Reservoir.

The previous 3 pictures are Ryburn Reservoir.

Ryburn Reservoir.

Baitings Reservoir.

Baitings Reservoir.

Baitings Reservoir.

Back o'the Heights Road Bridge.

The previous 4 pictures are taken around Baitings Reservoir.

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