Drought Unearths Ghost Villages in UK Reservoirs

Across the English uplands, severe drought conditions have led to the dramatic reappearance of submerged villages as reservoir water levels fall to historic lows. Ladybower Reservoir, a key water source, is currently at approximately 32% of its capacity. This significant drop has exposed the former pump house of Derwent, a village compulsorily acquired and flooded between 1935 and 1945, along with parts of Ashopton. The East Midlands region officially declared a drought in August 2026, and water companies like Severn Trent are warning the public about the dangers of walking on the exposed, muddy reservoir floors.

These historical sites, submerged to create reservoirs in the 20th century, have surfaced during previous dry spells, notably in the summers of 1959 and 2018. The villages of Derwent and Ashopton were acquired against community wishes, with residents relocated to make way for the vast water bodies. Derwent, which once housed a church and Derwent Hall, and the larger Ashopton, were fully inundated by the time the reservoir was officially inaugurated in September 1945. The current drought situation underscores the vulnerability of water supplies and the hidden histories that can emerge during periods of extreme weather.