Vyrnwy Waterworks
1865 After a period of great drought, there was only ten days' supply in the the reservoirs supplying Liverpool which stimulated the City Corporation to plan for additional supplies (see Rivington Waterworks). Many schemes were considered before it was decided that a new supply for should be provided by construction of a masonry dam forming Lake Vyrnwy in North Wales together with the Vyrnwy Aqueduct to bring the water to Liverpool. This scheme was initially one of two examined and reported upon by George Frederick Deacon, M. Inst., C.E. (inventor of the waste-water meter). The Vyrnwy scheme was recommended by Mr Bateman and Mr. Hawksley. An Act of Parliament was obtained in August 1880. Mr. Deacon then resigned his office of Borough Engineer, retaining that of Water Engineer.
1881 The first stone of the embankment for the Dam was laid by Lord Powis.
For the first 5 years the scheme was carried out by Mr. Deacon in conjunction with the Mr. Thomas Hawksley; on the resignation of Mr. Hawksley, Mr. Deacon successfully completed the work as Engineer-in-Chief.
By November 1888 the arches of the viaduct over the great dam at Llanwddyn had been completed, and the two discharge tunnels through the dam had been built. The valves in the pipes carrying the river were about to be closed, when the water would begin to accumulate. Most of the houses in the village had been pulled down, and the ruins purified with fire. The church, however, was still standing, and services continued to be held.
1892 The Aqueduct was said to be the longest in the world when it was opened, conveying the waters of the largest artificial lake in Europe to Liverpool.
See supplement in The Engineer describing the project at length.
1910 Completion. See articles in The Engineer 1910/03/18, page 174, and The Engineer 1910/03/25, page 310.
Articles in The Engineer
These substantial waterworks were given a lot of coverage in The Engineer. Access the articles via the links below.
- No. I: The Engineer 1887/01/14.
- No. II: The Engineer 1887/01/28