Water was a very important source of power and the remains of many dams can be found. Leats took the water from the dams to where it was required. These may be a shallow ditch or channel either lined with clay, or lined and covered with stone. Leats also collected water from one site and took it to another, thereby allowing water to be used several times before it ran away. Sometimes the water was carried in pipes.

Stone flagged water leat, Hebden Moor Mine, Wharfedale

Water leat, Arkengarthdale following the contour of the hill.

Dam Hebden Gill, Wharfedale

Water Main entering a shaft which connects to the Sir Francis Mine, Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale.

This pipe supplied water to hydraulic pumping and winding engines 240ft below this point.

Breached Dam, Blakethwaite Mine, Gunnerside Gill, Swaledale.

Dam, Yarnbury Mines, Wharfedale