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Old bridge emerges as dry weather lowers reservoir

Tom BurgessNorth East and Cumbria
Dave Wade A thin stone bridge is spanning a body of water between two dry banks. The bridge rises slightly in the middle and wooden posts have been put in the banks at either side. In the distance there are hills and a forest to the far left.Dave Wade
The old packhorse bridge is only exposed when water levels are low

An old bridge which was submerged during the construction of a reservoir has re-emerged due to falling water levels.

The packhorse bridge at Grassholme reservoir, near Middleton-in-Teesdale in County Durham, also appears occasionally when there is maintenance work.

Richard Hewitt, principal at the Royal Yachting Association at Teesdale sailing and water sports club, said the water had dropped 2m (6.5ft) this year.

A spokesperson for Northumbrian Water said the dry weather had "contributed to lower reservoir levels", as well the use of more water from Grassholme while maintenance work took place at other local reservoirs.

They said the dry weather "has brought the reservoir's packhorse bridge back into view, which appears from time to time and is an interesting reminder of the area's history".

Work to create the reservoir began in November 1901 and it took 13 years to complete, finishing during September 1914.

The bridge was used to cross the River Lune before the reservoir was created.

Its exact age is unknown but it can be seen in maps dating back to the 1850s.

Andy Beck An aerial view of an old bridge emerging from a large body of water. A new modern bridge stands in the water just beyond it and joins a road curving up a hill. The water around the bridge is part of a larger body which stretches into the distance. The land to the left is covered in grass and trees.Andy Beck
Northumbrian Water said the reservoir was still 84% full

Hewitt said: "The water has dropped by 2m and reached the end of our slipway but it is not down by an unexpected amount.

"It is always nice to see the bridge and at the moment you can just see the top surface of it but not the arches underneath."

Hewitt said he was pleased the water levels had stayed high enough for the yacht club to sail there.

Northumbrian Water said the reservoir was currently 84% full and it continued to manage resources carefully.

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