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Torside Reservoir Overflow Outlet Monitor

You’re probably wondering what this page is all about… I have visited Torside Reservoir 6 times now over the last 3 years to photograph the unique overflow system that the reservoir has.

Unfortunately to my disappointment, it has never been overflowing! The closest I got was in Oct 2019 when I managed to visit a day either side of it overflowing,  Somewhat frustrated and annoyed with myself, as its a 1hr 30 drive from home and for not getting the shot I wanted I wondering what I could do to rectify this situation.

I decided to invest some time into creating a solution to the problem.It’s Probably a bit of an overkill in all fairness, but nevertheless I like to code. I have recently been investing some time learning Google Sheets Apps Script (JavaScript) over the last few months to utilise with Google Sheets, so I decided to have a play and created the 2 below charts utilising a dataset from www.riverlevels.uk and exporting a Google Sheet as a JSON Array Object into Highcharts.

To take it a step further I also set up a Google Sheet script to email me when the water level reaches 0.12m (overflows at 0.14m) so I can time my visit and hopefully capture the overflow in the right conditions. Fingers crossed!

I did think about sharing how I did each step of the problem by sharing my code, but it’s not really photography related is it, so haven’t botherd, anyway. I hope someone finds this page useful, and if you want your email adding to the notification list when the level reached 0.12m just drop me an email and ill add it.

Current Water Level

Until Overflow

The overflow outlet will be overflowing if the gauge is in the red zone at 0.14m

Torside Overflow Historical Data

Torside Overflow Outlet

Torside reservoir overflow
Torside reservoir overflow not overflowing. Its very close but not quite. Image taken on 8th October 2019 at 18:28 (Google Pixel 3 XL)

The script paid off

Update as of 26th February 2022 – I left the script running and basically forgot about it. I got an email some 2 years later notifying me that the water levels were high. I checked the numbers and sure enough after several days of heavy rain the levels were very high.

I decided that I would visit the next morning, and im glad I did because within 36 hours it has stopped overflowing.

Some of the images are below.

Derbyshire Reservoir Overflow
21st Feb 2022 - the overflow in full flow.
Peak District Reservoir
Some abstract work on the beautiful curves

Subscribe via Email

I have updated the script to allow users to subscribe to the notifications.

Please be aware that this script is entirely dependant on the kindness of riverlevels.uk for allowing access to their data. Without it I wouldn’t be able to track the levels. Therefore If access ever stopped so would the notifications.

The link in the button below will open a Google Form submission

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Comments (13)

James – thanks for the work you’ve put into this. Please can you add my email – I wouldn’t mind trying to catch the overflow at some time. Thanks

Thanks, Ian. I have added you to the notification script. You will recieve a email when the level reaches 0.12m

George Robertson

Hi James Just found this site Many thanks Can you pls add my email to list for notifications I have had a few failed attempts due to water levels

Hey George, sorry it took me a while to reply, I have added your email to the Google Script so you will get a notification when it gets close to overflowing

James, I have been wondering how to track the levels and you have come up with the perfect answer. Could you add me to your notification when the reservoir is overflowing. Many thanks, Chris

Hey Chris, yes it was doing my head in! my fear now is that when I turn up to photograph the overflow there is going to be 8 other photographers standing with me :) ha-ha

I have added you, should get a email when it gets close

James,
Please add my email address to your list.

Hey Chris, added

Hi James – would you be able to add me to your notification email?

Thanks

Dave.

Added Dave, just about to automate this with a little form on the page :)

Just come across this by chance. I drive over everyday and water levels are really low at the moment. I had no idea regarding the overflow system and loved reading about this and seeing your amazing pictures. Thankyou

Excellent – well worth the hard work! Great to meet you too

Hey there please add me to the list. Regards Dave

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