The Elan Valley dams
From plans to dams
Joseph Chamberlain,
prime mover of
the Elan Valley
Waterworks scheme
Chamberlain and Mansergh
Once the decision was made to proceed with the project, an Act
of Parliament was required
to authorise the
compulsory purchase of over 70 square miles of the rugged moorland
around the two valleys, and the subsequent construction work
for the dams, reservoirs and aqueduct. The parliamentary
procedure started in February 1892, led by Joseph Chamberlain,
an MP and former Mayor of Birmingham who had done much to get
rid of the slums and improve social conditions in the city.
There was a great deal of ferocious opposition to the Bill in both Houses of Parliament and also in Wales, but after lengthy battles the Birmingham Corporation Water Act, 1892 received Royal Assent at the end of June in that year.
A souvenir postcard
of Craig-Goch dam,
Elan Valley
By kind permission of
Radnorshire Museum,
Llandrindod Wells
The Water Committee of Birmingham
Corporation then appointed James Mansergh
of Westminster, London, as the consulting engineer for the ambitious
project. He had worked on the design of the Mid Wales Railway
in 1862, and was familiar with the region and of its suitability
for water storage.The location of
the Elan Valley dams
and reservoirs
is shown on the
sketch map.
"when more than full the water will overflow from all the reservoirs in picturesque cascades down the faces of the dams".
Few who have seen the impressive sight of the dams in full spate would disagree.
