The Project

The weir holds back a head of approximately three and a half meters of water and provides some resistance to the impounding of the river, which stretches upstream beyond Froggatt Bridge. This part of the river is placid and tranquil and is characterised by a wide and lazy flow between tree-grit banks, backed by meadows, woodlands and wetlands that provide a peaceful and tranquil setting for those walking the footpaths along the riverbanks.

In contrast the River Derwent downstream of the weir becomes shallower, but gathers pace breaking into turbulent cascades along its wide and rocky bed. These features are very dramatic and noisy when the river flows at great speed, seemingly with only nature in control. Nevertheless, whether storm or drought the weir preserves the impounded lake at Calver New Bridge and the wide stretch upstream towards Grindleford at varying levels.