Dramatic photos show ‘shocking’ low water at Dovestone Reservoir

While the North West of England’s water supply has not been impacted as much by the heatwave, water levels at the Saddleworth site are down.

Residents in some parts of the country have been told they will be subject to a hosepipe ban and parts of England have been warned they could be facing drought due to dry weather.

Oldham Times camera club member Hannah Birchall, who snapped the striking photos on Friday, July 29, while visiting the reservoir with her two children, said: “We were shocked at first. The water was ages away – it was a bit strange.

“It used to be almost completely full – the bits that look sandy, it’s usually full up to the top there.”

Son Oliver, aged 10, and daughter Freya, aged four, were disappointed by the low water levels.

Hannah, aged 29, from Fitton Hill, said: “My kids were shocked too, they were expecting to have some waves and splash about a little bit – only in the very shallow bit, holding hands – but there was nothing.”

Hannah said the water here is usually like a waterfall. Photo: Hannah Birchall

A spokesperson for water company United Utilities said: “Some parts of the North West region have seen less rainfall than others, particularly the Pennine area.

“However, our major water sources in Cumbria have seen more normal levels of rainfall and we can use our regional network of water resources and water pipes to move supplies to where they are needed. We are not considering any restrictions on use.

“Whatever the weather, we always encourage people to use water wisely, which saves energy and money and is good for the environment.”