Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 24th February, 2014)

Is this part of the flood control measures that have recently been built?? How did they stand up to the heavy rains recently??

it must have worked,some people only
want to report bad news.
Nice pic.

This will never fly.... ;-))

I went across there during the period of the recent heavy rains, fully expecting that the system would have been called into use - with the dam closed and the area here flooded, but it was as pictured.

David, I like your humour. Best Wishes.

The flood prevention system is in continual use. The so-called "dam" does not open and close to hold back or release water during flood conditions. Instead, a hydro-brake system will continuously and automatically hold back water and simultaneously release water at a predetermined rate without any moving parts.

It still sounds like a dam to me, Neil.
The mechanics for operating it sound very sophisticated, but it is designed to stop flooding in the Robin Park flood plain area, and it can only do so by regulating the flow of water getting there. The dam may never be closed in the sense of holding back all the water coming down, but the system you describe simply means it releases water at a predetermined rate to regulate the downstream flow. There must be times when any water above the amount which is set to be released is stored behind the dam. Signs beside the footpaths above the dam indicate whether or not they are above or below the flood level which the dam could create if the amount of water reaching the dam is markedly greater than the amount which will be allowed to go downstream from the dam.

Ive seen this working and its a good idea, they are now building them in a lot of areas in teh UK including around York

What you say is true, Rev David, my point being that the system is not switched on and off as and when required. It self regulates without the use of moving parts such as sluice gates.

Nice to see all the comments and the repartee, and I only asked a question.