Dale Dike Reservoir was built between 1859 and 1864 by the Sheffield Waterworks Company to supply water to local mills and the growing population. Designed by John Gunson, the original dam was completed in 1863 by John Towlerton Leather. On 11 March 1864, shortly after it was filled, the dam failed, releasing 690 million gallons of water. This caused the Great Sheffield Flood, which destroyed over 5,000 properties and killed 244 people. The dam was rebuilt in 1875, slightly upstream, and is still in use today for domestic water supply, managed by Yorkshire Water.