It comes after Storm Dennis battered Devon last week
Water levels at the Holbeam Dam that protects Newton Abbot during Storm Dennis were at their highest since its construction in 1982.
And only for the second time in the 38 years since it opened, an incident of ‘overtopping’ at the dam occurred.
Storm Dennis battered Devon last week and saw roads across the county flooded, a series of landslips occur, and has forced the closure of the Grade II listed Austin’s Bridge at Buckfastleigh.
In Newton Abbot, the A383, the A381, and the roads leading to Teigngrace flooded, while the River Lemon rose to levels high enough to cut off footpaths and be on the verge of flooding at the Town Quay.
But speaking at Thursday’s Devon County Council meeting, Cllr Roger Croad, cabinet member for the environment, said that the dam did its job, was highly effective in controlling flows downstream and reducing the flood risk to Newton Abbot, and remains safe, stable and operational after the event.
Cllr Gordon Hook, who represents the Newton Abbot South ward, said that he had anticipated that the dam had successfully controlled the flood risk as ‘Newton Abbot wasn’t evacuated’, but said that as there were lots of blocked drains and flooded roads in the town, concerns had been raised about the safety and any overtopping of the dam.
He asked for clarification as to how the dam coped with the Storm and added: “We need to ensure confidence in residents minds they won’t be evacuated from their homes at short notice.”
Cllr Croad said that he had anticipated such a question being asked and had gone to the Environment Agency in advance of the meeting to get a report from them.
Cllr Croad said: “There was constant monitoring of the Holbeam Dam and flows along the River Lemon in Newton Abbot during Storm Dennis. This recorded the highest level at the reservoir since its construction in 1982 and only the second known occasion of overtopping of the dam.
“It overflowed on Sunday, February 16, by approximately 150mm at 6.20am. This was the highest recorded level and on the second known incident of overtopping.
“During the event, the reservoir acted as designed and stored approximately 390,000m3 of water. It was highly effective in controlling flows downstream and reducing the flood risk to Newton Abbot. The dam remains safe, stable and operational after the event.”
The Holbeam Dam at Ogwell that protects Newton Abbot from the River Lemon. The river has several times caused major flooding in Newton Abbot, most notably on December 19, 1853, November 14, 1894, August 6, 1938, and December 27, 1979.
To prevent further occurrences, a flood-control reservoir and dam were built in 1982, just below where it joins with the Kestor Brook at Holbeam.