In September 2014 Sheffield City Council announced plans to construct a dam wall in the valley at one of two possible locations , the Swallow/Wolf flood storage area or the Roscoe/New Dam flood storage area . After public consultation plans for the Swallow/Wolf flood storage area have since been dropped but the Roscoe/New Dam flood storage area remains as an option . The dam will be over high with a wide crest . If the scheme goes ahead , it will reduce the depth of water downstream by during heavy rain such as those that occurred in 2007 United Kingdom floods when parts of the city were flooded . This proposal is likely to be highly controversial if goes ahead : the water retaining area would cover and potentially destroy or damage ancient and unique structures that are part of Sheffield 's industrial heritage . It would also flood allotment gardens and would require the river course to change as well as to have the span of the valley that includes the nature trail covered by the dam embankment . The culvert ( a concrete tunnel - maybe barred ) to take the river may have to be as long as 70 metres . There is further debate about the contribution the Rivelin played in the floods of 2007 so the maths related to this scheme will be closely scrutinised by the very concerned public . ( In the council consultation 60 % of people expressing an opinion opposed this scheme - indeed it was the least popular area the council nominated )
2007 United Kingdom floods
2007 United Kingdom floods
River Rivelin