The Dearne Valley is a natural washland with a capacity of , and as such it can normally absorb overflow from its river . The floods of 2007 overwhelmed the storage capacity and covered the whole of Old Moor to hide-roof level , only the visitor centre being untouched . In the longer term , the reserve might be adversely affected by climate change , perhaps leading to alterations in the populations of woodland species
floods of 2007
2007 United Kingdom floods
RSPB Dearne Valley Old Moor