Signs of old flooded village appear as reservoir dries up

Roads of Mardale village can just be seen in this photo from May 2025 when the reservoir was at very low levels

A Cumbrian village that was flooded to create a reservoir for Greater Manchester has re-emerged because of low water levels.

In 1939, Mardale, a village in the Haweswater Valley, was evacuated and submerged by Manchester Corporation to provide clean water for the region.

Now, one of the driest summers on record has exposed what's left of the village.

The water company now responsible for the reservoir, United Utilities, say it is at 50% capacity at the moment - this time last year it was 75%.

The Environment Agency said the reservoir was 30% less full than it should be due to lack of rain fall

Before Mardale was flooded, villagers were moved out and their homes and other buildings dismantled.

Across the UK there have been other villages which were flooded to create reservoirs, for example Derwent in the Peak District.

A reservoir is a place to store very large quantities of water, in this case as a water supply for nearby cities and towns.

The dry reservoir pictured in May

The seven-month period between February-July this year was the driest on record since 1976.

Due to the dry weather the water levels of Haweswater reservoir are much lower than usual.

United Utilities, which provides water for homes from the reservoir, say it is at 50% capacity which is half the amount of water it can hold.

This time last year it was 75% and that is generally the level reservoirs should be at.

As a result of the low levels, signs of the old village have re-emerged with people even able to walk along an old road.