Abbeystead Weir is in the Forest Of Bowland AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A remarkable, large, curved basin like structure allows water to flow from the reservoir down an stone-lined channel to a high weir and into the River Wyre below. The beautifully curved weir we see today was originally constructed in 1878 and finished construction in 1881. The dam was designed by a James Mansergh who after the completion of Abbeystead designed the reservoirs at Elan Valley.
Tragically, the quiet village of Abbeystead hit the headlines in 1984 when a disastrous explosion at a pumping station which was being visited by residents from the nearby St Michaels on Wyre. Of those 44 visitors, 16 lost their lives, and many of the others were seriously hurt or burned by escaping methane gas. Today, the village is wonderfully peaceful, with only a commemorative plaque to allude to that terrible day.
Abbeystead Disaster (Wiki)
Music: Albatross (Fleetwood Mac).
Paul.
A remarkable, large, curved basin like structure allows water to flow from the reservoir down an stone-lined channel to a high weir and into the River Wyre below. The beautifully curved weir we see today was originally constructed in 1878 and finished construction in 1881. The dam was designed by a James Mansergh who after the completion of Abbeystead designed the reservoirs at Elan Valley.
Tragically, the quiet village of Abbeystead hit the headlines in 1984 when a disastrous explosion at a pumping station which was being visited by residents from the nearby St Michaels on Wyre. Of those 44 visitors, 16 lost their lives, and many of the others were seriously hurt or burned by escaping methane gas. Today, the village is wonderfully peaceful, with only a commemorative plaque to allude to that terrible day.
Abbeystead Disaster (Wiki)
Music: Albatross (Fleetwood Mac).
Paul.