The Elan Valley in mid Wales is the main water source for Birmingham, England. There are some 3 reservoirs along the valley and the structures were competed in 1906. Water takes about a day and half to reach Birmingham – some 75 miles away – and gravity does all the work, no pumping required. Apart from being quite clever, the structures are visually impressive and look built to last… Engineering like this enhances the landscape – ‘tho the townships flooded out by the initial construction might not have agreed.
