River Derwent, Derbyshire
The Derwent near Hathersage
The area of origin of the Derwent
The Derwent is a river in the English county of Derbyshire.
The river rises in the Peak District east of Glossop and flows south of Derby in the Trent.
The name " Derwent " means, in the Celtic language " a valley overgrown with oaks ".
Course
The Derwent built on the boggy Bleaklow Plateau north of the Snake Pass in the Peak District.
The Derwent flows through soon after its origin three reservoirs: first the Howden Reservoir, then Derwent Reservoir, and finally the Ladybower Reservoir. The tributaries of the River Westend and the River Derwent in the Ashop today are immersed in Howden reservoir or the Ladybower Reservoir.
At the village of Bamford River Noe flows into the Derwent and after the flow has passed through the estate of Chatsworth House, the River Wye at Rowsley flows into him.
After the Bentley Brook has come in Matlock in the Derwent, the River Amber meets at Ambergate on the river. The Derwent flows through the center of Derby, to finally flow at Derwent Mouth in the Trent.
The river makes, especially in front of his mouth quite a number of sheets that will bring its total length to 80 km, while the straight line, lying between its origin and the mouth of the Derwent is only good 55 km.
Importance of the river
The Derwent was made navigable by a decision of the Parliament in 1720 between the confluence with the Trent and Derby. 1795 the ship traffic was stopped on the river and shifted to the Derby Canal.
Between Matlock Bath and Derby, the river was used to operate a large number of cotton mills. These mills include the Comfort Mill by Richard Arkwright, the first water-powered spinning mill. This dedicated spinning and several others is the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The reservoirs of Howden Reservoir and the Derwent reservoir in the upper reaches of the river were completed in 1916 to ensure the water supply of Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby and Leicester. The Ladybower Reservoir in 1945 put into operation in order to meet the increasing water demand. The treated water from the reservoirs is derived via the 45 km long Derwent Valley Aqueduct. The Carsington reservoir is also filled with water from the Derwent. In winter, water is directed from the river in the Carsington reservoir that is routed back into the river in the trockeren summer months, so that would allow the other Stauseeen more water than the river differently, can be stowed without the underflow to drop dry. All Stauseeen are now managed by Severn Trent Water.
The valley of the Derwent is also important for traffic except shipping. Between Derby and Rowsley follows the highway from London to Manchester (A6) the river. The railway line of the Midland Railway from Derby to Sheffield and Manchester also followed the Derwent. The route to Sheffield is now part of the Midland Main Line. The route to Manchester was closed behind Matlock in 1968 and is today between Ambergate and Matlock the Derwent Valley Line. The Cromford and High Peak Railway led just like the Cromford Canal through the river valley.