Forge Dam project

A brief summary of the works taking place at Forge Dam over recent years.

On the face of it this project achieved what it set out to do, and more because of the DEFRA additional environmental grant:

•. 5000 tons of silt was extracted as planned, and used as green material to rejuvenate a brownfield site in Beighton. 

•. The training wall to channel the river was installed and functioned as planned, albeit with some criticism of the visibly uneven top in places.

•. The base of Forge Dam was sculpted as planned to create the island and provide habitat for a variety of aquatic life in the depths and shallows.

•. Noticeboards and life saving equipment were installed and paths and surrounding green space were noticeably improved.

Part of the footpath was rebuilt to remedy an unforeseen dam wall collapse.

When water levels are high the dam and spillway look beautiful.

However there is an issue.

The spillway sluice broke open in the latter stage of work and the Porter Brook now runs through without control.  This is no problem if more water is entering the dam than leaves it, for example, in wet weather. However in drought the water level falls.  

The Council has contractors planned for work in August ‘26 and we will be monitoring progress.