A scorching summer and a lack of rainfall has revealed an old bridge at a Yorkshire reservoir after water levels dropped during the heatwave.
A lone figure was pictured walking across the old packhorse bridge at Baitings Reservoir near Ripponden following extreme temperatures last week. This is not the first time hot spells and drought conditions have revealed the bridge.
Such sights have not been uncommon this month. Other beauty spots across the north were also severely affected by the weather with mud beds exposed and deep cracks appearing in a desert-like landscape at Lindley Wood Reservoir in the Washburn Valley, north of Otley.
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Similarly, the rocks at Aysgarth Falls in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire, usually hidden by fast-flowing waterfalls, saw only pools remain on the stretch of river and the falls, where the River Ouse meets the River Ure. A tiny village that dates back to the 17th century has also reemerged after temperatures reached 30C.
And a former flax mill, main road and crumbling stone bridge can now be seen at Thruscross Reservoir near Harrogate. But even though the temperatures have dropped and the region has had some rainfall in recent days, water levels are still low.
(Image: SWNS)
Yorkshire Water said more water than normal was supplied to customers during the high temperatures. On July 11, 1.5 billion litres were supplied, which is 200 million litres above normal and the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leeds into supply.
It is hoped with more rainfall forecast over the next week water supplies will be replenished. Built in 1956, Baitings Reservoir is a large water supply reservoir operated by Yorkshire Water.
It takes the name of the hamlet that was flooded under the new dam and which was on an old road linking Yorkshire and Lancashire. Surrounded by woodland and popular with walkers, it offers impressive views of the neighbouring moors.
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